Fidel Castro’s Court Tactics

On a visit to Poland in 1972, Fidel Castro, known more for his political maneuvers than athletic prowess, took to the basketball court with students in Krakow. Despite hailing from Cuba, where baseball reigns supreme, he harbored a keen passion for basketball.

Fidel saw the sport as a metaphor for warfare, admiring its demands for speed, agility, and tactical thinking. This surprising interest in basketball showcases a different side of him, often overshadowed by his political identity. His engagement with the students in a game of hoops offers a glimpse into how sports can bridge diverse worlds, even for a figure as polarizing as this Cuban leader.