The success story of Sialkot

Did you even know that Pakistan might love cricket but when it comes to football, they are the champions in making these footballs?

The leading company in Pakistan, Forward Sports, is one of the major suppliers for Adidas, the official brand sponsor for the 2014 FIFA. Right from Europe's UEFA Champions League, the Africa Cup of Nations and the German Bundesliga; all major football events across the world, use these footballs made by Forward as the ‘official’ ball.

This company is located in Sialkot, a city in the north-east of Pakistani that produces roughly 60 million footballs each year, making up 70% of the world’s total. On average the people of Sialkot earn €2,000 euros a year, twice the national average, thanks to the sports goods industry. Manufacturers of surgical instruments, leather goods and musical instruments also contribute to the city's prosperity. All balls and surgical knives manufactured here are exported. Politicians and executives scrutinized foreign markets and adopted the standards of their Western partners. According to legend, the success story of Sialkot as world capital of football production started with a man who repaired a leather ball for British colonial military officers about a century ago, and then began making his own balls. He was called Syed Sahib, and the city has named a street after him.

It is amazing to know how each place can make a niche for itself, thriving and prospering despite the political turmoil and unrest in the region. In today’s era of all things ‘Made in China’, it is good to see that come countries are making their mark with a specialization and there are buyers across the world. Truly, Sialkot is a success story of globalization.