Cubans are avid sports fans and interested in a variety of spectator sports. Cuba is viewed by many as "the best little sports machine in the world" because of the number of outstanding athletes it has produced over the years, including the late three-time Olympic boxing champion Teofilo Stevenson and Javier Sotomayor, the world record holder in the high jump and only man to clear 8 feet in the event. Most young people are encouraged to participate in some kind of athletic endeavor.
Since it was introduced in the early 1900’s, baseball has been the favorite sport of Cuba. Many Cubans have distinguished themselves as professional players in the big leagues. Cuba's amateur teams are some of the best in the world. Almost every city and town has a stadium where baseball games take place. Cuba's major league is called La Liga Nacional. Over the last few years there has been a string of defections of Cuba's most notable baseball players including Orlando "El Duque" Hernández, his brother Livan and Rolando Arrojo to name a few. More recently, Rusney Castillo's, José Dariel Abreu, Aroldis Chapman and Yaiel Piug.
The main baseball season runs from December to June. Havana's main baseball stadium is the 60,000 seat Estadio Latinoamericano. Havana has two national teams, Industriales called "Los Azules," and Metropolitanos known as "Los Metros". Everyone should attend a lively baseball game in Cuba to savor the wonderful atmosphere. Tickets are sold on a first come first serve basis.
Havana also has adequate sports facilities and even hosted the Pan-American Games.
There is bowling in Havana’s Miramar district
Boxing is also popular. A long line of amateur champions have come out of Cuba. There are boxing bouts throughout the year in cities all over Cuba. Major fights are usually held in the Ciudad Deportiva or the Sala Polivalente Kid Chocolate in Havana.
Basketball is the most popular court game among Cuba's black community. Cuba has a national basketball league made up of only a few teams. Havana's team is called the Capitalinos. Games are played at the Coliseo de Deportes. Almost all high schools and colleges have teams.
Cuban volleyball teams are outstanding. The country's national women's team—Las Morenas del Caribe—is one of the best in the world. Volleyball games are played at the Sala Polivalente Ramón Fonst and Sala Polivalente kid Chocolate.
Cycling has become popular and there are several cycling clubs in the Havana area.
Soccer or fútbol is not as popular here as in other countries of Latin America and has taken a backseat to baseball and basketball. Nevertheless, there is a small following. There is also a sixteen-team soccer league. Soccer games are played at the Estadio Pedro Marrero.
Most hotels have swimming pools that are open to non-guests. There are a couple of public pools at Parque Lenin. The Club Habana and the Marina have excellent pool facilities that are open to non-members for a small fee.
Surprisingly, there are two bowling alleys: one at the Havana Golf Club and another at the Hotel Kohly in Vedado.
As the author mentioned, there are two golf courses in the country; one in Havana and another at the Varadero resort. More courses are bound to be built in the future as relations improve with the U.S. Public tennis facilities are limited but most resort areas have courts.
Although not spectator sports, chess and especially dominoes are widely played and enjoyed be Cubans. Dominos is second only to baseball in popularity. Some Cubans insist that it is even more popular. It was originally brought from the Andalusian part of Spain.
