SIALKOT / ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Forward Sports (Private) Limited, a Sialkot-based sports equipment manufacturer, has emerged as the world’s top football factory, producing over one million footballs per month—a milestone that cements its status as a global powerhouse in sports goods manufacturing .
Industry Leadership & Global Outreach
Since its inception in 1991 by civil engineer Khawaja Masood Akhtar, Forward Sports has grown from a small operation producing 1,000 balls monthly to an industry leader with a combined production capacity of 750,000+ footballs per month across hand-stitched, machine-stitched, and thermo-bonded lines . The company now ranks among Sialkot’s top employers, with over 4,000 staff, including approximately 600 women working on the assembly lines .
World Cup Official Supplier
Forward Sports gained global recognition by supplying the official match balls for the FIFA World Cups in 2014 (Brazuca), 2018 (Telstar 18), and 2022 (Al Rihla)—making it the exclusive or joint official supplier for the three most recent tournaments . Its contract for the 2022 Al Rihla marked a historic moment, with Forward Sports producing around one-third of the match balls and a majority of the open-market versions, cumulatively contributing to around 10 million ball units .
Technology & Innovation Drive Growth
Forward Sports’ technological edge lies in its early adoption of thermal-bonding—a seamless, glue-based panel construction technique first introduced locally in 2007. This innovation helped it meet the stringent standards required for World Cup match balls . The factory’s lean manufacturing principles and automation efforts—ranging from automatic lamination to multicolor printing machines—earned recognition from Adidas, including awards for best lean systems .
Sialkot: The Football Capital of the World
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Sialkot, already known for producing up to 60%–70% of the world’s footballs, is home to Forward Sports, making Pakistan a principal player in global football manufacturing . The city’s industrial ecosystem, supported by the 1997 Atlanta Agreement to eliminate child labor and improve working conditions, fuels innovation and quality production .
Economic Impact
In the fiscal year 2021–22, Forward Sports generated approximately $51 million in revenue and was among Sialkot’s leading export earners. Sports goods exports from Pakistan totaled around Rs 65.2 billion during that period . The company’s commitment to innovation and efficiency has turned it into a reliable partner for global brands like Adidas, and a symbol of national pride for Pakistan’s export-led economy.
Outlook: Sustaining Excellence
Forward Sports continues to pursue research and development, aiming for further improvement in ball design and durability. Its patents—such as the airless mini-ball that doesn’t require inflation—underscore its ambition to shape the future of sports equipment technology . With sustained global demand and rising production capacity, Forward Sports shows no signs of slowing down.