sports

Dídac Lee is on the FC Barcelona Board of Directors, charged with managing New Technologies. In an exclusive interview with CNA, Lee considers that it is vital for FC Barcelona to be close to the fans, and social networks are the key to reaching this goal. Thanks to Lee, Barça is now the leading sports club in the field. Lee is a renowned Catalan entrepreneur and the Chinese work culture ethos has influenced him both in his life and work.

On World Rare Disease Day the FC Barcelona Foundation showed solidarity with all patients who have any of these conditions, and their families. Both in the Palau Blaugrana, with the collaboration of Barça Regal players, and social networks, the Foundation raised its voice about these diseases.

The programme is aimed at developers and businesses that create mobile applications. The goal is to leverage FC Barcelona during the creation of a world-wide leading industry, as well as offering up new business opportunities for developers and ITC entrepreneurs. Any mobile application that transmits the values and the spirit of FC Barcelona are eligible for submission, and the developers, if accepted, will have access to the benefits outlined in the programme.

FC Barcelona experienced an increase of 24% in the number of visitors to its museum, and of 59% increase in turnover with respect to 2010. Las year a total of 1,626,990 people visited the Camp Nou Experience, the combined name for the Stadium Tour, the Museum and the multimedia space. The Barça Museum is the third most visited museum in all of Spain.

Barça wins “the Oscars of sports”. FC Barcelona beat out the Dallas Mavericks, the Red Bull Formula 1 team, the All Blacks, the English national cricket side and the Japanese women’s national football side to win the Laureus World Team of the Year award. Messi and Abidal were also nominated. This award, which gives FC Barcelona worldwide recognition, will be added to FC Barcelona’s athletic and social achievements.

Ten businessmen in the coastal town of Sant Carles de la Ràpita want to open a new aquatic base in the Trabucador, an area frequently visited by kite surfers and windsurfers

At the official inauguration of the new youth residential centre, FC Barcelona’s President, Sandro Rosell, praised the sporting and human work done within the Masia, Barça’s school for new talents. The president hoped that the atmosphere of the old building at the Camp Nou would be transferred to the new one at the Oriol Tort Training Centre.

The ski resort of Baqueira Beret, located in the Catalan Western Pyrenees, has invested 6 million euros to update its facilities. Baqueira Beret’s ski slopes are scheduled to open the season on November 26th. This ski resort, in the Val d’Aran County, is one of the largest in the Pyrenees.

The latest technology and sustainability converge on the façade of the new Barça football school and residence, the new Masia. This cinematic façade will be used as new advertising support by FC Barcelona sponsors. A 1,460 m² led screen will do this with no overheads for the club.

The city of Tarragona, located on the southern coast of Catalonia, will be the host city of the 2017 Mediterranean Games after ten years of candidature work. Together with Tarragona, another twelve Catalan towns will be hosts for different sport competitions with the common objective being to promote the area internationally. Many have in mind the excellent results of Barcelona Olympics of 1992.

Audi and Barça have agreed to the extension of the sponsorship agreement until 2014. Audi will be allowed to use FC Barcelona’s image and the German brand will be Barça’s official car. Audi has been one of Barça’s official sponsors since the 2006-07 season.

The campaign “We Are What We Eat” has been presented. The project, promoted by the FC Barcelona Foundation, fosters healthy habits and Barça players participate in the ads. It will offer culinary workshops, educational debates and sports circuits in collaboration with the Fundació Alícia and the Fundació SHE.

Toni Freixa announced that FC Barcelona’s Board would submit a budget for the coming year, based on income of €460,1 million and profits of 20,1 million. The board spokesman also reiterated FC Barcelona’s commitment to zero tolerance of violent behaviour.

Barça is not only famous for winning the European Champions League or the Spanish Super Cup; it is also famous for the way it plays football and for producing its own stars through La Masía, FC Barcelona’s football school. The club has reorganised the entire football section, confirming the main directors and managers and fostering the talent improvement.

A Catalan company has developed a mobile phone application that identifies bars to watch your favourite sports games, no matter which country you are in. The application includes football, basketball, tennis and rugby games, as well as motorbike and Formula 1 races. It is called “Watch around”.