The proposed training camp in Ranchi for the probables of the Indian team for Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup that was deferred because of the Covid-19 pandemic faced another hurdle.

No bidder showed interest when the online bidding was done on Tuesday for awarding contracts for accommodation of the trainees, catering, grassing of the playground and preparation of dressing rooms.

“We have to abide by the SOP (standard operating procedures) issued by the Central government and arrange separate rooms for each player for maintaining social distancing,” said Anil Kumar Singh, state’s sports director.

He said there is still time left for organising the arrangements through another round of bidding.

The authorities also visited Jamshedpur for exploring possibility of an alternate venue there if the need arises.

Earlier, the camp was scheduled to begin at Birsa Munda Football Stadium, Ranchi, in August but was postponed because of the lockdown. The camp is now expected to begin from October 1.

The trainees have to arrive in Ranchi latest by September 16 so that they can attend the camp on October 1 after completing the mandatory 14-day-quarantine.

Though there is still time for organising the rest of the requirements, plantation of grass should have been completed by now, felt Mohammad Halimuddin, secretary of Ranchi district football association.

The football tournament was originally planned to be held this year but was deferred to next year because of the pandemic. Thirty-five footballers were selected from across the country, including eight from Jharkhand, as probables for the Indian squad. The footballers had attended a training camp in Goa.

They were given a short break in February and were supposed to return by March-end but that could not happen because of the nationwide lockdown.

Hearing the plight of the girls from Jharkhand who were facing difficulties in their villages, chief minister Hemant Soren had arranged to shift them to Ranchi so that they could continue their practice.

India will host the seventh edition of the Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup that was scheduled to be held in November but has been shifted to February-March 2021 due to the pandemic.

According to the revised schedule, the tournament will now be held between February 17 and March 7 next year in Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Calcutta, Guwahati and Navi Mumbai.

Besides host India, 15 other teams chosen through separate continental tournaments will participate in the World Cup.