Started as s spontaneous demonstrations, the sports clubs are the result of personal initiatives and may be based in any city environment, according to the activity, the nature and will of its members.
In Santiago de Cuba, according to the encyclopedia EcuRed- started in the late nineteenth century as a forum for discussion of criteria on specific sports practices, evolving under the names of regular gatherings, circles of friends and club.
In the first half of the previous century, these groups grew in number of members and organization, always a popular and very Cuban touch. Currently they form a broad front of action of national sports activism with great impact on the healthy use of free time in different sectors of the population.
Genesis of a hotbed of passionate sports
Considered the first of its kind in the country after the revolutionary triumph, the Sports Peña Plaza de Marte, was founded on October 20, 1962, 25 men living around the site representing the indomitable city.
Its first president was Pedro Vila Fernandez, who succeeded Hardy Evelio Peña and Jorge Nunez. Upon the death of the latter, he was elected on April 28, 2002 Miguel Jorge Campos, still leading the group.
The landmark meeting had name changes during its history. Until 1985, "Friends of Sport" was called; then, "Hot Corner" and from 1989, it adopted its current name of "Peña Deportiva Plaza de Marte" which Núñez Peña added the slogan "Faro Guide" for being a pioneer in the island.
In their properties, they have gathered Olympic champions, world, Pan American and Central American teams of the National Baseball Series, as well as sports authorities and the Party. Similarly, cultural personalities like Juan Formell, César "Pupy" Pedroso, Eduardo "Tiburón" Morales and Enrique Bonne, have adorned the tradition of this famous circle.
The results of the "Faro Guide" are also supported by the National Vanguard conditions and since March 2003 National Reference.
In this regard Jorge Miguel Campos added that "hold all Awards we have the privilege is time and commitment. The rock is here to stay and legacy beyond sport. We can see the same supporting a ball game that constructive work, volunteer work or donate blood. "

Amateur and Other Stories
At present, the rock has 48 members, of which five are women and the average age is 51.1 years. Medical, technical, engineers, housewives, military, academics and retired, enrich their social composition.
About the rigorous process of affiliation to Sierra Maestra says the current president: "The rocks are massive in Cuba, but ours is selective. Here the member is given an observation time, their participation in the internal activities and their social behavior is analyzed. They must also be advocates of Santiago de Cuba team ".

Cadé Roberto Ramos, who admitted just eight months ago to the 'Faro Guide', said that since his arrival welcomed him so warmly that he seems to have been part of the group throughout his life.
The women have also left their mark in the ranks of the most important sports rock territory. Unequivocal proof is Ana Teresa Doussou Valerino, housewife for three consecutive years has been consecrated as the best peñista: "In a group where the majority are men, I am proud to speak out for my team, you can be sure You will always have our breath. "
It also imposes maintain identity as a basic premise of action, according to Francisco Neck Oliver stressed: "Here we have a regulation to be met, because not only the willingness but our exemplary attitude in the stadium must be preserved".
Membership actively supports teams in sports facilities through "embullo commissions" and also discusses the results of the meetings, the decisions of the referees and the comments of the commentators, reflecting any decision on a fevered pitch and passionate creates an indescribable atmosphere.
"We are not fanatics, but swashbuckling defend our homeland, regionalism that entails," explains Antonio Palacios Gonzalez, who for 20 years has accompanied the 'Faro and Guide'.
"I always liked sports, the stadium atmosphere, people enjoying the rock show and found the place to be near all those things site," adds Eduardo Fernandez Reyes, Santiago Holguin by birth but by conviction.
Sports Peña Plaza de Mars, also has the distinction of having Cont Antonio, Slovenian who could not resist the passion for baseball.
"In my country there is practiced the sport, but when I came here and saw the extent that it reaches the conga playing, loved it. I feel more like a Cuban ball and it hurts to see the current situation in our team. "
With more than fifty years in the heart of the "Very noble and very loyal", the forerunner of sports clubs in the archipelago, is part of our character as a mass movement in support of the revolutionary sport and hopes, based on hard work and innovative spirit, remain as beacons throughout Cuba.