The official match football for the upcoming FIFA World Cup has been produced in Pakistan, making it the country’s significant contribution to the mega soccer event.
The ball named ‘Al-Rihla’ has been unveiled by sports company, Adidas. Al-Rihal is an Arabic word that translates to ‘the journey. The ball has been made in Pakistan by Adidas, the second largest sports manufacturer in the world. The official match ball incorporates the culture of Qatar boats, the flag, and the architecture of Qatar.
The ball was unveiled by World Cup winners Iker Casillas and Kaka in a glittering ceremony in Doha, Qatar.
Adidas has been manufacturing the balls for the mega event consecutively for the past 14 years. Pakistan has been the official makers of match-ball since the 1982 FIFA World Cup. Pakistan did not make official match-balls in 2010 and 2014 but was provided contracts for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
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FIFA World Cup is set to commence in Doha, Qatar on 21st November. Meanwhile, Pakistan itself is not participating in the tournament despite having a team and a following for the sports in the country.
FIFA has currently placed a ban on Pakistan Football Team for third-party meddling in the Pakistan Football Federation.
Once again, Pakistan’s contribution at the World Cup — apart from of course most importantly providing the labourers whose hard work, sweat and lives helped build it — will be the World Cup match ball: ‘Al Rihla’ which means ‘the journey’. pic.twitter.com/XQPwpOEvfB
— Umaid Wasim (@UmaidWasim) April 1, 2022
According to a report published in December 2021, football exports during the first four months of the fiscal year of 2021-22 grew up by 17.22 percent as compared to the exports of the corresponding period of last year.
During the period from July-Oct 2021, Footballs worth US$ 50,148 were exported as compared to exports worth US$ 42,780 during the same period of last year. According to the data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the exports of Sports Goods increased by 20.73 percent, worth US$ 105,120 were exported as compared to the exports of US$ 87,070 in the same period of last year