Tashkent (GNP):— Pakistan’s globally renowned football manufacturing sector received prominent exposure during a live broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 fixture between Uzbekistan and Portugal in Tashkent.
Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan praised the Pakistani Trade Mission in Tashkent for its efforts in highlighting the country’s manufacturing strengths at a high-profile international sporting event, according to a statement released.
He described the initiative as a smart example of public diplomacy, one that allowed Pakistan to present its industrial capabilities, export capacity, and international image to a large audience of football enthusiasts. The minister noted that Pakistan takes particular pride in Sialkot’s football-making tradition, which has long supplied high-quality balls for major tournaments worldwide.
According to Khan, efforts like this help reinforce Pakistan’s standing as a dependable, competitive, and quality-focused manufacturing center on the world stage. He added that featuring Pakistani goods at prominent international gatherings can meaningfully support export growth, strengthen investor confidence, and deepen economic cooperation with partner nations such as Uzbekistan.
Working alongside Uzbek authorities, Pakistan’s Trade Mission organized the promotional campaign at Bunyodkor Stadium and Humo Arena, both packed with Uzbek fans for the match. The centerpiece of the promotion was the “Trionda,” the official FIFA World Cup 2026 match ball, produced in Sialkot by Forward Sports, one of Pakistan’s premier football manufacturers.
To better connect with local audiences, the Mission arranged for Forward Sports’ promotional film to be dubbed into Uzbek. The film was shown ahead of the match at both stadiums, presenting Pakistan’s established reputation for producing top-tier footballs used in international competitions globally.
Embassy representatives also presented a Pakistani-made Trionda ball to Tashkent City Governor Shavkat Umurzakov, marking the strong and growing relationship between the two countries.
The Trade Mission indicated it plans to hold additional promotional activities in the near future to further showcase Pakistan’s manufacturing capabilities and raise awareness of its export potential among Uzbekistan’s business community and general public.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
