This Article is From Oct 29, 2010

This Mumbai surgeon officiates basketball matches too

Mumbai: For 34-year-old Dr Prince K Mattam, basketball is his first love. The assistant surgeon at Health Services in Kerala besides managing time for practicing and coaching the sport, also officiates at state and national level tournaments.

"My wealth is my health and hobbies which I pursue by always being active. I believe that by being in single profession makes one's life monotonous, so it's important to maintain the hobby and be socially active. My involvement with sports keeps me highly spirited and also gains me admiration from my colleagues from the medical field," said Mattam, secretary of Idukki District Basketball Association, who is in the city to officiate the ongoing 61st Junior National Basketball Championships.

A resident of Thodupuzha, Mattam is an almuni of Kottayam Medical College and has represented his college in chess and table tennis. "I play almost all sports but was always keen in basketball. Gens Varghese, International Basketball Federation referee, who was my classmate and close friend, inspired me to take up referring four to five years before. Since then I have been officiating at state and national meets," said Mattam.

The multi-talented Mattam is also editor of Kerala Basketball Association's quarterly magazine 'Fast Break'. "I start my day with training beginners for two hours and thereafter I visit Government Hospital for service and then in afternoon attend private patients. In evening without fail, I regularly practice the game," he said.

When asked how he manages all these tasks, he replied, "Irrespective of what profession you are in, one must love his or her work and hobby then automatically time is managed. I love basketball and therefore without hassles I manage time for the same."

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