Harsha Bhogle's Review for The Marine Sports

When I first came to Mumbai more than thirty years ago, and at a time when I loved reading about sport and read just about anything I could lay my hands on, I was told of this shop called The Marine Sports. More than one person told me about it; some referred to it as Bruno’s shop, others as Theo’s. And so I went there one day and was bowled over. Young Clayton (later to make a fine career as a journalist) worked there but Theo Braganza’s easy chatty style and his infectious love for books won me over. I bought all kinds of books, mostly dated British compilations but it didn’t matter.

A couple of years later, I was back at The Marine Sports discussing publication of my first book. I had just come back from England in September or October 1990, and my reports for Mid-Day had found a decent audience. I thought I would make it into a book and asked Theo how much it would cost. He came up with a figure but because I wanted to price it no higher than Rs.30, we worked out that ads in a book, if for a good cause, were acceptable.

And so between us we published The Joy Of A Lifetime. Thanks Theo, So much has changed in the last twenty five years. Books are better distributed, they are available quicker, but the book, as a form, faces much competition from other sources. I can’t imagine it must have been easy for Theo but his smile, and his undeniable love for books and sport, remain undiminished.

I will always wish the best for Theo Braganza and the Marine Sports for they too played a part in keeping our sport going.

- Harsha Bhogale.