Pakistan highlights Sialkot football industry at UN event

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan’s contribution to the global football industry was put on display at the United Nations on Wednesday when Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, presented a Pakistan-made Adidas Trionado football to UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock at a special ceremony held ahead of World Football Day and the FIFA World Cup.

The event took place at UN Headquarters in New York and drew attention to Pakistan’s long-established place in the international sports goods sector, particularly football production in Sialkot. The city has served as a major centre for hand-stitched football manufacturing since the mid-20th century.

Pakistan’s football manufacturing legacy

Pakistan began emerging as an important supplier of footballs to international markets in the 1950s. That role expanded considerably from the 1970s, when small and medium-sized workshops in Sialkot developed into a competitive export cluster. By the 1990s, the city had become closely linked with global sports supply chains, including agreements with major international brands.

Pakistan remains among the world’s leading producers of hand-stitched footballs, experts noted. Through licensed manufacturers, the country has supplied footballs for major international tournaments, including FIFA World Cup cycles, under global brands such as Adidas. Although modern tournament balls increasingly rely on hybrid thermal-bonded construction, workers in Sialkot continue to play an important part in stitching and assembling high-performance footballs used in global competitions.

The sports goods sector continues to be a significant source of export earnings for Pakistan, generating several hundred million dollars annually, with footballs making up a substantial portion of that total.

Ambassador calls it a source of national pride

Describing the achievement as a matter of national pride, Ambassador Ahmad said Pakistan’s football-making sector reflected the talent and perseverance of its workforce.

It is a matter of immense pride for Pakistan that footballs crafted by our talented workers and artisans continue to feature prominently at the highest levels of international sport.

He also said the industry represented more than manufacturing capacity alone.

Pakistan’s football-making industry reflects not only exceptional craftsmanship and quality, but also the dedication, resilience, and skill of our people.

Ambassador Ahmad further said Pakistan’s role in football production also carried a wider diplomatic and cultural dimension.

Through the production of world-class footballs in Sialkot, Pakistan continues to make a meaningful contribution to promoting sports, friendship, and global unity.

He added that the UN gathering was

a celebration of the power of football to bring people together across cultures and nations.

Friendly matches held on UN lawn

The programme also included friendly football matches on the UN North Lawn. Diplomats, former players and UN staff took part in mixed regional teams in what officials said was meant to reflect unity and sportsmanship.

Officials said the event formed part of wider UN efforts to promote sport as a means of advancing peace, inclusion and international cooperation.