Chak De, Jharkhand: Hockey coach Malaki Lugun teaches his student the tricks of the game. Picture by Srinivas

Jamshedpur, Aug. 19: Shah Rukh Khan’s Chak De India has brought hockey to the centrestage with a bang. But real heroes of the game often go unsung.

However, all that is set to change in Jamshedpur, a city known for its love of sports. Malaki Lugun, a hockey coach of DBMS School, would start a hockey academy soon in Jamshedpur.

Malaki, the lone trainer of hockey in Jamshedpur’s schools, can be seen in action with students both in early morning and evening. Since 2004, this trainer has been training girls.

The hockey coach has played for Tata Steel in more than 40 matches at state, national and invitation tournaments.

But seeing there being no training centre for hockey, Lugun appealed to the sports ministry for requisite help to open the academy in the city. He wants the open the training centre in the school premises of DBMS, until land is allocated for the centre.

To ensure that the national sport becomes popular, he has also appealed to the Jharkhand Olympic Association to start the game in every school of the city.

Apart from guiding school girls, he also guides young and amateur players of St. Robert’s hockey team. He often organises tournaments, bearing expenses out of his own pocket.

On asking if he enjoys training the upcoming girls, he said: “I am not tough because then they will fear me and not enjoy the game. But if they break discipline, I have to be stern.”

Student Priyanka Mahto said: “I admire the spirit of our coach because he never gets tired of coaching us.”

But, the budding player rued: “In my batch there are 16 players, but most will leave the game because there is no support from parents. They feel there are no employment opportunities in this game.”

Lugun added: “Only Tata Steel is the saviour of the game here. Otherwise, the scenario is bleak as players lack good coaching and government support.”

Clearly, reel life miracles do not spill over to the real.