The journey of Pakistani entrepreneur Khawaja Masood Akhtar is a story of hard work, vision, and determination. What started as a small setup in a single room in Sialkot has now become a name connected with the biggest football event in the world.
In 1991, Khawaja Masood Akhtar started Forward Sports with only 20 employees. With dedication and continuous improvement, the company slowly grew into one of the leading football manufacturers globally. Today, Forward Sports produces millions of footballs every year and supplies them to international markets.
The company’s biggest achievement is its connection with the FIFA World Cup. A remarkable milestone is that every match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature a football made in Pakistan. This highlights the strong position of Sialkot as a major hub for football production worldwide.
Forward Sports has played an important role in showing the world the talent and skills of Pakistani manufacturers. From producing footballs in a small beginning to becoming a trusted name for global tournaments, the company’s journey represents Pakistan’s growing presence in international sports.
This success story is not only about business growth but also about innovation, patience, and commitment. Khawaja Masood Akhtar’s vision has helped put Sialkot on the global map and proved that Pakistani companies can compete at the highest international level.
The story of Forward Sports continues to inspire young entrepreneurs by showing that big dreams can become reality with dedication and consistent effort.

