07/08/2026
Khawaja Masood Akhtar, founder and CEO of Forward Sports in Sialkot, Pakistan, is a prominent industrialist and civil engineer known for elevating Pakistan’s sports manufacturing sector on the global stage.
Major Achievements
Official FIFA & UEFA Match Ball Producer:
Under his leadership, Forward Sports became a key manufacturing partner for Adidas (starting in 1994).
Produced the official match balls for global tournaments, including the Adidas Brazuca (2014 FIFA World Cup, Brazil), Adidas Telstar 18 (2018 FIFA World Cup, Russia), UEFA Euro 2024 (Fussballliebe), FIFA Club World Cup 2025, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup match balls (Trionda).
Has manufactured match balls for the UEFA Champions League continuously since 2008, as well as top European leagues such as the German Bundesliga and French Ligue 1.
Manufacturing Innovation & R&D:
Transitioned traditional Sialkot hand-stitching processes into modern thermo-bonded, automated, and AI-assisted production.
Pioneered R&D breakthroughs, including the world’s first Airless Mini Ball and eco-friendly synthetic materials.
Economic Impact:
Scaled Forward Sports from a startup producing 1,000 hand-stitched balls a month in 1991 to a multi-million-dollar global exporter producing over 15 million soccer balls annually.
Scaled workforce operations to over 10,000 employees and associates, positioning Pakistan as a premier supplier of international sporting goods.
National Civil Honors:
Conferred the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (2023) by the President of Pakistan for meritorious services to sports exports and the national economy.
Frequently recognized with Best Export Performance Awards by the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI).
Philanthropic & CSR Activities
Women Empowerment & Gender Inclusion:
Forward Sports maintains an inclusive workplace, employing over 1,300+ female workers.
Provides equal pay, specialized growth opportunities, and safe working conditions, achieving a female workforce retention rate exceeding 94%.
Sialkot International Airport (SIAL) Development:
Served as a key contributor and financial backer for the development of Sialkot International Airport, Pakistan’s first privately owned and operated airport built entirely through local industrialist collaboration.
Environmental Sustainability & Conservation:
Implemented sustainable industrial practices, conserving millions of liters of water annually.
Spearheaded local reforestation drives, including planting thousands of trees and dedicating land to regional conservation efforts.
Community Welfare & Worker Health:
Directs ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds toward healthcare benefits, fair wage practices, subsidized transportation, and family educational assistance for factory employees and local Sialkot residents.
