William Paats

Who was William Paats?

William Paats was a Dutch sports instructor.

Often regarded as "the father of Paraguayan football", Paats' family moved to Asuncion, Paraguay in 1894. At that time, Williams was 18 years old and soon noticed the lack in the formal practice of any sport in Paraguay.

After a few years, he became a physical education instructor at the Escuela Normal de Maestros in Asuncion. In one of his trips to Buenos Aires, he bought a football and brought it back to Paraguay; and soon after he started teaching the practice of football to his students. The popularity of football in Paraguay rose immediately. Due to the success and enormous interest of the people, Paats impulsed the foundation of the first Paraguayan football club, and so on 25 July 1902 Club Olimpia was born.

Paats was also a founding member of the Liga Paraguaya de Fútbol in 1906 and served as President of the mentioned organisation from 1909 to 1910. He also promoted and taught the practice of other sports disciplines such as cricket, tennis, swimming and rowing. His passion for sports and social activities led him to found the social and sports club Sajonia in 1921 and the Touring y Automóvil Club Paraguay in 1924.