SIALKOT: Manufacturers and exporters of sports goods based in Sialkot hope Pakistan Super League (PSL) will prove to be a bonanza for the industry, giving a boost to both local and foreign sales.

Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Major (retired) Mansur Ahmed believed that the cricket fever that has gripped the country with the start of PSL, followed by Asia Cup and World T20, would open the new business vistas to the international trade markets.

Muhammad Sarfraz Butt, senior vice-president of the chamber, concurred that exports of sports goods, including cricket bats, pads, gloves and helmets, from the city would rise considerably.

Prof. Safdar Sandal, a sports goods exporter and former chairman of Pakistan Sports Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said sports goods made in Sialkot were also getting popularity in non-cricketing countries, especially European nations of Spain, France, Brazil and Belgium.

He was optimistic that the industry would cash in on the situation to explore and capture other international markets as well.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2016