Many real life versions of the hockey players in Chak De India took part in the four-day National Girls' Sports Championship-Bihar 2016.

Organised by Bihar State Sports Authority at Patliputra Sports Complex, the tournament started on Sunday . Twenty-two states took part in it.

Neha Netei from Madhya Pradesh is in her mid twenties. She had expressed her desire to pursue the sport seven years back, much to the displeasure of her family. She faced stiff opposition from them, especially her grandfather - a retired army official.

"My grandfather said girls were not allowed to play in our family. I pleaded, cried but did not give up hope. I was adamant and played hockey whenever I had a chance," said Neha, the captain of the Madhya Pradesh team."

Shweta Patil (19), captain of the team from Maharashtra, however, did not have to face any resistance from her family when she decided to take up the game.

"My father wanted me to play hockey. He always encouraged me. I lost him when I was in Class IX. Today I play hockey primarily to fulfil my father's dream," she said.

Maharashtra played against Madhya Pradesh on Sunday.

When asked about her strategy for Sunday's match, Shweta said her team would defend rather than attack.

"In the last championship we played in, my team lost against Uttar Pradesh 4-0. So we have decided to focus on defending," she said.

Neha, on the contrary, had an all-guns-blazing attitude. "Our team won the last national-level championship by a 5-1 margin. We will try to repeat it this time," she said.

Madhya Pradesh defeated Maharashtra 3-0.

The coaches of the teams believe hockey players do not get the respect they deserve in the country.

Umesh Badne, coach of the Maharashtra team, said: "The girls' get only Rs 150 a day when they go outside the state."

It is not only the money factor; infrastructure remains poor for the sport. The grounds on which the players practice is also not up to the mark.

"In almost every state, the players practise on normal grounds whereas international players get synthetic grounds to hone their skills," said Badne.

Rajasthan defeated Bihar team 2-3 in a shootout.