Jamshedpur, Sept. 16: It has been more than a decade now since the Super Soccer mania, that had once gripped the city, left the denizens wanting for more. But, barring a junior international soccer meet, some two years ago, the city has been running shy from hosting big football events.

However, if travel plans and other logistics for the arrival of the Rangers fall into place, the city may host one of the matches that the South African team will play in India during its forthcoming tour. According to sources, Rangers, a top football club in South Africa, is scheduled to visit India to play four matches from September 20 to 22.

Delhi, Calcutta, Haldia and Jamshedpur have been ear marked as venues for the matches. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has entrusted the responsibility of organising the matches to the Indian Football Association (IFA). Sources said sports authorities here have already spoken with IFA secretary, Ranjit Gupta, about the visit of the South African team to the city. “We have already taken up the matter with the IFA secretary. Some modalities are still to be worked upon. If things get settled, the game is certainly on here,” the sources said. They added, the IFA had intimated the authorities here about the upcoming visit of the Rangers.

“We have to work on many aspects for the team’s visit. The IFA has still not clarified who is going to foot the match fee of the visiting team. If the IFA takes care of the match fee, we have no problems in providing them hospitality and ground facilities,” the sources added. According to sources, the South African team would be playing matches against some top teams of the country, including Mohammedan Sporting and IFA XI. “Other teams like Churchill Brothers, JCT Mills and Phagwara have been sounded out about the matches. The IFA XI would comprise players from some glamour clubs,” sources added.

The IFA was very keen to use the infrastructure and facilities in the steel city. “The city topped the list as a possible venue. We would certainly like the city to host the Rangers’ match here provided the IFA settles the match fee issue at the earliest. We are all ready to host the match,” sources said. They said, even if the IFA wanted them to host the match at a short notice, there would be no problem from their side.

“We are confident of putting things in order once the IFA settles the match fee issue,” sources said, adding that the IFA should make things clear at the earliest. They said the IFA was very keen to include the Tata Football Academy (TFA) as one of the teams to take on the South African club.