Tino LAZAROV - IN MEMORIAM

28.12.2020

Dear Tino,

My dear friend, teacher and mentor, it is with a sad and heavy heart that I hear today of your passing. My shock and disbelief will be echoed and felt across Bulgaria, Europe and the whole officiating World, your greatness will be missed.

I will miss our many conversations, where you have selflessly shared your knowledge and experience with me over the past 10 years. You have both challenged and motivated me, through insightful discussions but most importantly you showed and gave me friendship. Every moment we shared will remain in my heart and every time I think of you my vision will be of your smile and your cheerful spirit.

Without a doubt we have all lost a great man, a legend.

I am proud and happy to have had the opportunity, the privilege, to have learnt from you and been able to have called you my friend.

Goodbye Tino, may you Rest in Peace.

Davorin

Born on October 5 Monday, 1931, in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Highlights

  • Basketball referee from 1950
  • FIBA referee (1958-1983)
  • Officiated more than 440 international games and finals: FIBA World Championships and European Championships, African Championships, Asian Championships, Korac Cups, Ronchetti Cups, Final Fours, etc.
  • Since 1980: FIBA International Instructor, conducted 336 FIBA and other International Clinics for referees, commissioners and instructors in 116 countries
  • FIBA Commissioner (1983 - 2007)
  • Member of FIBA Technical Commission since 1976
  • Vice-President Technical Commission FIBA Europe (1996-2004)
  • Official FIBA Interpreter of the Rules (1992 -2005)
  • 10 Olympic Games participations
  • Author of 2 books on Basketball officiating and more than 20 articles in various sport magazines, Manuals for Commissioners, Manuals for National instructors, etc.
  • As a player: basketball team of French College (1946-1949)
  • Graduated from 2-year school for talented players (1950-52)
  • Captain of the basketball team of the Technical Univesity in Sofia (1949-1954)

Distinctions & Recognitions

  • Honorary National Referee in Bulgaria (1958)
  • FIBA/FFBA CUP for ""BEST REFEREE IN EUROPE"" (1962)
  • Honorary FIBA referee (1976)
  • Golden Whistle as best referee in Bulgaria
  • FIBA Cup - "Radomir Shaper" (2000)
  • FIBA Basketball Oscar (2002)
  • Honorary President of the Bulgarian Referees' Association (2005)
  • FIBA Africa ""Äbd-El-Azem Ashry"" Cup (2006)
  • Honorary Citizen of Sofia
  • 6 highest Bulgarian professional awards for his projects/medals

Enshrined as a technical official in the FIBA Hall of Fame on June Wednesday, 2013.