The Sportivization of Mexican Society. An Analysis of its Stages and Influence in Torreón, Coahuila at the Beginning of the 20th Century

Abstract

The process of sportivization in Mexico originated between the Porfiriato (1876-1910) and the Post-revolutionary period, following an evolution in four stages: 1) the influence of European immigrants, railway expansion, and the mining industry; 2) the establishment of social and sports clubs in cities, driven by foreigners and local elites; 3) the development of civic-military events promoted by the State, and 4) the incorporation of physical education in schools. However, this process did not develop uniformly across the country. This article analyzes the sportivization of Torreón, Coahuila, a city established in 1907 and marked by economic growth driven by the industrialization of cotton and the arrival of the railroad (1883). Through the study of bibliographic, documentary, and newspaper sources –particularly archives from the Archivo Municipal de Torreón and the newspaper El Siglo de Torreón– the first two stages of this process (1883-1920) are examined. The findings reveal that sportivization in Torreón was strongly influenced by economic and migratory factors, which facilitated the introduction of sports such as baseball and football in the region. This research contributes to the historical memory of the city and lays the groundwork for future studies on the history of sports in northern Mexico.