 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sporting goods |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | Khawaja Masood Akhtar, CEO |
| Products | Soccer balls |
| Revenue | US$57 million[1] (2022 – 2023) |
| Website | forward |
Forward Sports is a Pakistani multi-national company based in Sialkot, Punjab, specializing in the manufacture of sports equipment, primarily soccer balls. The company produces balls for prominent brands including Adidas. Founded in 1991 by Khawaja Masood Akhtar, Forward Sports began its partnership with Adidas in 1994. Since then, it has produced balls for many international events, including UEFA Champions League on several occasions. It was the official provider of balls for the 2014 FIFA World Cup (the Brazuca), the 2018 FIFA World Cup (the Telstar 18)[2] and the 2022 FIFA World Cup (the Al Rihla).[1]
It produces soccer balls, handballs, sala balls, beach balls, indoor balls, sports bags, shin guards, goalkeeping gloves and medicine balls.[3]
The company was awarded a contract to produce over 3,000 Adidas Brazuca balls that were used at the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil.[4] Khawaja Masud Akhtar was awarded with the Sitara-i-Imtiaz on 23 March 2019[citation needed]and the Hilal-i-Imtiaz on 23 March 2023.[citation needed]
- ^ a b Hussain, Bilal (20 November 2022). "Pakistan-made footballs at FIFA World Cup 2022: the 'crown jewel' for Sialkot's Forward Sports". Brecorder. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ "One man's dream come true: Making the official ball for the 2014 FIFA World Cup". GlobalPost.
- ^ "Pakistan May Surprise Maradona at World Cup in Brazil". bloomberg.com. 20 May 2014.
- ^ "Pakistan to produce World Cup soccer balls". The Hindu. 21 May 2014.