Mostly Cricket

by Sampath Bandara (Sports journalist - Dinamina)

There may be a few others like this anywhere else in the world but it sure is few and far in-between. Theo Braganza's 'Marine Sports Bookshop in Mumbai, is one of a kind.

It all started with Theo's father when he started this one of a kind sports bookshop in 1956. But Bruno Braganza, Theo's father was in fact selling sports goods long before he got hooked on to selling books on the

 subject of sports.

"It may well have started with my fathers love for reading'" said Theo, explaining how his father read any thing and every thing he could put his hands on. But as he was a dealer in sports goods and equipment it came naturally to him that it would be a good idea to have a bookshop pertaining to the subject right next door.

To his father dealing in sports goods and books was not a business alone it was his passion and Theo feels that is what that brought this business to sit in the family along the way.

Like father like son, Theo took over from his father in later years and he too is sport crazy "especially Cricket" says Theo. He said that he has watched every match that was

 played in Mumbai between India and other visiting cricket teams "Specially with Sri Lanka" he said with a glee.

Both India and Sri Lanka are on his favourites list. The shop he feels contributes largely to the game of cricket too. Any young person interested in the game can buy books on the subject covering every aspect of it. There are books that cover the entire history of the game and from an angle of serious literature too.

If some one wants to know statistics with regards to the game then it is right there in a book at Braganza's Marine Sports Bookshop in Mumbai. If some one wants to know 'Who's Who' in cricket then it is there too.

Its not Indian alone it is international cricket at Theo Braganza gladly sits at his bookshop catering to one and all who wants to buy books on the subject and if necessary on any other give sport.