BFF and Pakistan High Commission discuss expanding sports cooperation through youth exchanges, friendly matches, sports medicine and capacity-building initiatives.
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening sports ties as Pakistan donated 1,000 locally manufactured footballs to support grassroots football development in Bangladesh.
The footballs were formally handed over by Pakistan's High Commissioner Imran Haider to the Bangladesh Football Federation President Tabith Awal during a ceremony was held at at the artificial turf ground adjacent to the BFF Bhaban in the capital.
Prior to the ceremony, the High Commissioner witnessed an exhibition match between two squads of the Bangladesh Under-17 Women's National Football Team.
The 1,000 footballs, presented as a gift by the Pakistan High Commission, will be distributed across different regions of the country to promote
grassroots football development.
Speaking at the event, the High Commissioner highlighted Pakistan's globally recognised football manufacturing industry, noting that Sialkot has earned an international reputation for producing premium-quality sports goods, particularly footballs.
He said Sialkot has the distinction of manufacturing the official match balls used in the FIFA World Cups in 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026, underscoring Pakistan's expertise in quality, craftsmanship and innovation.
Describing the football industry as a symbol of Pakistan's industrial excellence, he expressed hope that the donated match balls would encourage more young Bangladeshis to participate in football and further strengthen the sport at the grassroots level.
During the meeting, the High Commissioner and BFF President Tabith Awal also discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation in sports. Their discussions focused on enhancing people-to-people contacts, particularly among young athletes, through a range of collaborative initiatives.
Potential areas of cooperation include sports medicine, international friendly matches, sports commerce, capacity-building programmes, and exchange visits involving college and university football teams.
To mark the occasion, the Bangladesh Football Federation organised an exhibition match featuring Under-17 women's football teams. The High Commissioner praised the young players for their enthusiasm, talent and promising future in the sport.
Tabith Awal thanked the Pakistan High Commission for the donation and said the 1,000 footballs would be distributed promptly among young players across Bangladesh to promote football development at the grassroots level.
The initiative reflects the growing role of sports diplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations while creating greater opportunities for youth engagement through football.
