La mascota bananerito y su impacto en la identidad deportiva de orense sporting club

This article explores how a seemingly simple figure like a sports mascot can become a powerful symbol of cultural identity and social cohesion. Focusing on "Bananerito," the mascot of Orense Sporting Club, the study seeks to analyze its impact on the construction of the sporting identity of Machala, a city known as the banana capital of the world. Through a multidisciplinary approach and quantitative methodology, the article investigates the extent to which "Bananerito" has managed to connect emotionally with fans and represent local values. It is hoped that the findings will promote future research on the role of mascots in sports as marketing tools, cultural symbols, and drivers of social belonging. This work promises to reveal key strategies for strengthening the bond between the club, its community, and its collective identity.