A portion of Bulgaria’s top-notch state-owned sports facilities could legally move to private hands without the need to stage a tender or a competition.

The new procedure will be modeled on the rules passed by the former government in May 2009 for the Diplomatic Properties Management Agency (DPMA).

Annex 1 to Article 17 (8) from the Regulation on the Execution of State Rights in Commercial Entities with State Ownership stipulates enabled DPMA to rent out or sell real estate through direct negotiations.

The expanded list approved by the Council of Ministers features Bulgaria Sport Base (BSB), Academica 2000 and Academica Sport. The state will thus be able to lease or swap their assets in direct negotiations. The proposal was submitted by the sports ministry, which argued the move would allow federations and clubs to sign long-term lease agreements for the sports venues skirting competitive procedures.

The government decision also opens the door to piecemeal sale of real estates.

Academica 2000’s portfolio comprises juicy properties such as Sofia’s Winter Palace, Festivalna Hall, Academic Stadium, Academic Sofia tennis complex. The company also holds a 20% stake in the Academica Sea Palace hotel complex.

Academica Sport owns assets scattered along the Black Sea coast and also Hristo Botev Hall and Mir I Druzhba tennis complex, to name but a few.

BSB owns a yacht port in Ravda, Yunak Stadium in Varna and a facility in Sozopol.

Sports minister Svilen Neykov pledged not a single sports venue shall be privatised by the commercial entities as long as he is in the role.