Pakistan gifts 1,000 footballs to educational institutions

Pakistan has donated 1,000 footballs to be distributed among public schools across Bangladesh as part of a broader push to strengthen educational and youth cooperation between the two countries.

The initiative was highlighted during a meeting in Dhaka where the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh, Imran Haider of Pakistan High Commission, Dhaka, called on the Education Minister, Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon.

During the meeting, the High Commissioner briefed the Minister on progress under the Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor, an ongoing framework aimed at expanding cooperation in education, youth development, technical and vocational training, digital learning, physical education, and institutional accreditation.

As part of the engagement, Haider formally presented a football manufactured by Forward Sports of Sialkot to the Education Minister, symbolising the donation of 1,000 footballs earlier handed over to the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education for nationwide distribution.

The High Commissioner noted that Sialkot is internationally recognised as a leading centre for football manufacturing, supplying a significant share of the world’s footballs, including match balls used in multiple FIFA World Cup tournaments such as Brazuca (2014), Telstar (2018), Al-Rihla (2022), and the upcoming Trionda for the 2026 World Cup.

He said the initiative was intended to promote physical education, fitness, and wider participation in sport among Bangladeshi students, noting the strong popularity of football across the country.

The Education Minister welcomed the gesture and expressed appreciation for the proposal to expand cooperation in multiple education-related sectors, according to officials present at the meeting.