UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan’s role in global football was highlighted at the United Nations on Wednesday as the country’s permanent envoy, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, presented a Pakistan-manufactured Adidas ‘Trionado’ football to the President of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, at a special event held ahead of World Football Day and the FIFA World Cup.

The ceremony at UN headquarters in New York underscored Pakistan’s long-standing position in the global sports goods industry, particularly its association with football production centred in Sialkot, which has been a major hub of hand-stitched football manufacturing since the mid-20th century.

Pakistan’s emergence as a key supplier of footballs to international markets began in the 1950s and expanded significantly from the 1970s onward, when small and medium-sized workshops in Sialkot developed into a globally competitive export cluster.

By the 1990s, the city had become closely integrated into international sports supply chains, including contracts with leading global brands.

Describing the achievement as a source of “national pride,” Ambassador Ahmad said: “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 added that the country’s sports manufacturing sector reflects both skill and resilience.

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

Ambassador Ahmad further noted that Pakistan’s contribution goes beyond manufacturing, framing it as a form of cultural and sporting diplomacy.

“Through the production of world-class footballs in Sialkot, Pakistan continues to make a meaningful contribution to promoting sports, friendship, and global unity,” he explained, adding that the UN event itself was “a celebration of the power of football to bring people together across cultures and nations.”

Experts note that Pakistan remains one of the world’s leading producers of hand-stitched footballs, with the country supplying balls — through licensed manufacturers — for major international tournaments, including FIFA World Cup cycles, under global sports brands such as Adidas.

While modern tournament footballs increasingly use hybrid thermal-bonded construction, Sialkot’s workforce continues to play a central role in stitching and assembling high-performance balls for global competitions.

The industry remains a major export earner, generating several hundred million dollars annually in sports goods exports, with footballs accounting for a significant share.

The event also featured friendly football matches on the UN North Lawn, where diplomats, former players and UN staff participated in mixed regional teams, symbolising unity and sportsmanship.

Officials said the programme formed part of broader UN efforts to promote sport as a tool for peace, inclusion, and international cooperation.