Narciso Masferrer
Spanish journalist and businessman / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Narciso Masferrer Sala (26 April 1867 – 9 April 1941) was a pioneer of Catalan sports, sports journalism, and Olympism throughout Spain. He was present at most Catalan sports initiatives of the first third of the 20th century, founding and becoming director of a number of sporting projects, including some of the greatest sporting institutions in Catalonia, such as clubs, federations and sports press.[1][2]
Narciso Masferrer | |
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Born | Narcís Masferrer i Sala (1867-04-26)26 April 1867 Madrid, Spain |
Died | 9 April 1941(1941-04-09) (aged 73) Barcelona, Spain |
Citizenship | Spanish |
Occupations |
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Known for | Founder of Spanish Federation of Gymnastics El Mundo Deportivo and Los Deportes |
FC Barcelona | |
In office 1909–1910 | |
14th President of the Catalan Football Federation | |
In office 1913–1913 | |
Preceded by | Francisco de Moxó |
Succeeded by | Narcico Deop |
As a pioneer of sports journalism, he was the founder of Los Deportes, El Mundo Deportivo and "Stadium" magazines, a correspondent for the French publication L'Auto[3] and an editor of La Vanguardia for 17 years, from 1912 to 1929.[4] He is thus widely regarded as the father of modern sports journalism in Spain. In the press, his activity was basically centered on the creation of innovative journalistic projects and the promotion of sporting activity among citizens, preferably outdoors.[5] From the various journalistic forums that he founded or directed, he had a decisive influence on the dissemination and institutionalization process of multiple sports modalities, from gymnastics to football, passing through motor racing, swimming, athletics, and cycling.[5][6]
He was Spain's first sports promoter with a global and ambitious vision,[1][7][8] and the first person who was clear about the need for national organizations for each sport, as well as federations for each national championship.[7] Masferrer is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the amateur beginnings of gymnastics and football in Spain, as he was the fundamental head behind the foundation of Spanish Gymnastic Federation in 1898, which acted as the Spanish football federation until 1909.[9] He also left a big mark in cycling, holding the presidency of the Unión Velocipédica Espanyola in 1911,[3] from which he promoted the creation of the Volta a Catalunya, the first cycling race per stage in Spain and one of the oldest in the world.[10] He was also a prominent member of the Spanish Olympic Committee and the main inspirer and promoter of the pre-Civil War Barcelona candidatures to host the Olympic Games.[6]
He is also known for his pivotal role in the founding of FC Barcelona, publishing Joan Gamper's infamous advert in the Los Deportes magazine to find players interested in forming a football team, and then hosting the infamous meeting at the Gimnasio Solé on 29 November 1899 that saw the birth of the club,[8][11] of which he was a vice-president from 1909 to 1910, and he even held the presidency of the Catalan Football Federation in 1913.[4]