The industry of Jai-Alai has known epochs of real splendor. Just one look to the past to realize that Basque Jai-Alai players have been travelling all over the planet since the nineteen century. Thanks,especially, to the effort of visionary people who had the courage to risk their money and put the strength to make happen. One of those prominent empresarios was Teodoro Jauregi, Jai-Alai´s Marco Polo, a businessman that took Jai-Alai all the way to China from the Basque Cuntry.
On February the 7th, 1.930, the doors of the Shanghai (China) Auditorium opened for the first time. The players´roster included names such as Teodoro, Rafael, Tomas, Urbieta, Olalde, Salsamendi, Careaga, Maguregi, Aranzibia, Felix... Most of the players came from frontons such as El Cairo, Alexandria, Barcelona...
At the beginning they played only doubles games. Soon after singles were included obtaining a good response from bettors.
On February 15, 1.931, Julio and Bilbao "The Bounding Basque" joined the roster, those two came from Brasil. On June 27th, Artia, Solongo and Vicente arrived from Cuba. Little by little, Teodor Jauregi was completing the best jai-alai roster of the world.
Funny thing about this Vicente. A neighbor of mine, a lady called Rosa, told me a couple of months ago that she had heard that her father-in-law, whom she never knew, was a jai-alai player. I told her that if she could find any document or fotograph I would gladly take a look at them... About two weeks ago Rosa handed me a portion of articles, fotographs and two original contracts that belonged to Vicente, her father-in-law. ( I include in this post one of the contracts and reding them what really amazes me is that Vicente signed a contract with $1.350 dollars per month. A fortune considering that this takes place in 1.932). No doubt that Jai-Alai was living a golden age.
By the third year, Auditorium´s attendance increased gradually. Air-conditioning and a heating system were introduced in the fronton. A circular bar. And to keep fans informed management published a magazine called La Cesta. Berrondo, the best back-courter of the moment, signed for Shanghai also. Things going really well. Sixteen quinielas were played daily, 25 points partidos on Saturdays.
In 1.937, the Auditorium of Shanghai besides having the world´s best roster , more than 4.000 people worked for the fronton.
Unfortunally, because of the Chinese-Japanese war and the posterior Japanese invasion, the Auditorium closed its doors.
The splendor of Shanghai´s Auditorium would not shine anymore. Players´jobs destroyed and the efforts and dreams of people like Teodoro Jauregi victims of the war, too much of an opponent. It would not be the last time in Jai-Alai´history. China became a barren land for Jai-Alai
I believe that part of the old "Auditorium Haialai" still exists in Shanghai. See the photo I took in 2007 at http://www.flickr.com/photos/meckleychina/4009360901/. I have put a link to this post in the photo description.
ReplyDeleteIs there any supporting documents in existence which point to Macau having adopted the sport? I know there are buildings named Jai Alai but there is no historical documents to support if the game was ever played in Macau SAR.
ReplyDeleteIn 1940, I lived in an apartment on what was then the Rue des Soeurs in the French Concession in Shanghai. It was right next door to the rear of the jai alai fronton and I used to sneak into the fronton in the afternoon to watch the players practice. My parents attended in the evening several times and we brought a cesta back to the U.S. when we returned home in November 1940.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to write of my experiences as a boy in Shanghai and would like confirmation of the address of a fronton that year and in the French Concession.
John
Hola Maestro,
ReplyDeleteFui peloltari en Dania antes de la huelga. Porque se considera el cuadro de Shangai el mejor del mundo y no el de Miami? (una pregunta sin tener constancia de mi parte). El mejor delantero y zaguero eran parte de ese cuadro? Lucia formidable. Una vez mas las guerras joden el Bar B Q.
There are likely jokes about the sports name. LOL! XD!
ReplyDeleteI found an old book that my father had brought back from China and its filled with photos of the game, the forum and players. 1934, very interesting.
ReplyDeleteIf someone is interested in the above book let me know. Haberkorngeorge@gmail.com
ReplyDelete