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When you hear about footballs being made in Pakistan, especially in the city of Sialkot, there’s a good chance you imagine World Cup balls, massive exports, and unmatched craftsmanship. But do you know where it all began? Long before international headlines and billion-rupee exports, there was one man, one idea, and one football that changed everything: Double Star.
In the heart of Sialkot during the 1960s, a visionary named Anwar Khawaja was quietly crafting a revolution. At a time when Pakistan’s sports goods industry was still in its infancy, he dared to dream bigger. With deep roots in traditional craftsmanship but eyes fixed firmly on the future, Khawaja introduced a product that would not only meet international standards but exceed them earning Pakistan its first FIFA-approved football.
That football was Double Star, and in 1967, it marked a turning point not just for a factory, but for an entire industry.
While the world marveled at Europe’s sports technology and design, a quiet factory in Sialkot was building something extraordinary. But this isn't just a story about a ball it’s a story of vision, innovation, and legacy. Anwar Khawaja’s journey is one that reflects Pakistan’s potential, creativity, and ability to lead on the global stage when given the chance.
In this blog, we’ll dive deep into the history of Anwar Khawaja Industries, explore how Double Star became Pakistan’s first FIFA-certified ball, and uncover the ripple effect this achievement had on the country’s booming sports goods sector. Whether you're a football fan, a lover of history, or simply curious about Pakistan's unsung industrial heroes this is a story worth knowing.
Anwar Khawaja’s story begins in the industrious city of Sialkot, Pakistan a place now known globally for its sports goods, but which was still developing its identity in the early 1950s. Born into a culture of hard work and craftsmanship, Anwar Khawaja had an entrepreneurial spirit from the start. He wasn’t just content with making ends meet he wanted to build something that lasted.
In 1952, at a time when Pakistan was still finding its economic footing post-independence, he co-founded Anwar Khawaja Industries (AKI). Back then, the industry was dominated by hand-stitched cricket balls and basic sports equipment. Yet Khawaja had a vision to push beyond the norm to elevate Pakistani products to global standards. What he lacked in technology, he made up for in determination, curiosity, and a willingness to experiment.
Sialkot’s community was tight-knit, and Anwar was known among local craftsmen for his obsession with quality. Whether it was the leather he selected or the stitches on a prototype ball, every detail mattered. His hands-on approach and long-term thinking set him apart from the rest.
The 1960s marked a critical shift for AKI and Anwar’s ambitions. He realized that to compete globally, Pakistan needed to offer not just cheaper products but better ones. That’s when he began developing footballs that could match the performance of those used in international leagues.
In 1966, AKI pioneered the use of pre-stretched leather in footballs a game-changing innovation at the time. Most manufacturers were focused on hand-stitching and basic shaping, but AKI’s approach ensured more consistent shape retention and longer durability.
Then, in 1967, came the masterpiece the Double Star football. It was the result of years of experimentation, feedback from athletes, and testing under rigorous conditions. This wasn’t just another football; it was a product that finally passed FIFA’s stringent quality standards, making it the first-ever FIFA-approved football from Pakistan.
The recognition was more than symbolic. It showed that Pakistan, and particularly Sialkot, could compete with and even outperform major global players in sports manufacturing.
In 1967, achieving FIFA approval was no small feat. At the time, only a handful of football manufacturers in the world could meet the stringent requirements set by the sport’s governing body. For a relatively small Pakistani company like Anwar Khawaja Industries (AKI) to do so was both bold and historic.
FIFA’s quality control involved meticulous testing: weight, circumference, shape retention, water absorption, rebound consistency, and overall durability. Many balls failed to meet these standards after just a few matches, especially when exposed to harsh weather. But Double Star was different.
Built using pre-stretched leather and hand-stitched with extreme precision, the Double Star football demonstrated an impressive level of quality and endurance. Unlike most competitors, AKI didn’t cut corners. Every batch of footballs underwent internal testing before being sent for FIFA certification a rarity in that era.
More importantly, this wasn't a one-off. Anwar Khawaja wanted consistency and that’s what made Double Star so respected. Its FIFA approval wasn’t just a certificate; it was a seal that opened the doors for Pakistan to become a recognized global football manufacturer.
The success of Double Star reverberated far beyond AKI’s factory walls. For the first time, Pakistan was officially on FIFA’s radar, not as a participant in world football, but as a supplier of elite equipment.
It gave a massive confidence boost to Sialkot’s manufacturing ecosystem. Other companies began studying AKI’s processes, upgrading their materials, and targeting international standards. The idea that a "Made in Pakistan" football could be played with on international pitches changed everything.
Double Star’s FIFA recognition also served as a springboard for exports. Pakistan’s footballs, once viewed as low-cost alternatives, were now seen as premium quality products. Over the next decades, Pakistan would go on to supply footballs for numerous international leagues and FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup.
And it all started with a single ball and a visionary named Anwar Khawaja.
The ripple effects of Double Star went far beyond one company. By the 1980s and 1990s, Pakistan had become the largest supplier of footballs globally. In fact, at its peak, over 70% of FIFA World Cup footballs were produced in Sialkot.
Notably:
The Adidas Tango, used in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, was manufactured in Sialkot.
Pakistan supplied balls for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, again cementing its reputation.
Even in recent years, Sialkot-made balls have been used in tournaments from the English Premier League to the UEFA Champions League.
This was the long-term legacy of Anwar Khawaja’s Double Star not just one success, but an entire industry uplifted.
Following the groundbreaking success of Double Star, Anwar Khawaja Industries (AKI) didn't slow down. In fact, it used the momentum to expand its capabilities and diversify its offerings. By the mid-1970s, AKI had become a recognized name not just in Pakistan, but also across Europe and Asia.
In 1976, AKI formed a strategic partnership with Select Sports (Denmark) a pioneer in synthetic ball technology. This collaboration allowed AKI to move beyond traditional leather and into artificial leather footballs, a shift that was crucial for adapting to FIFA’s evolving material requirements in the 1980s and 1990s.
As the world moved towards machine-stitched and thermal-bonded footballs, AKI was already ahead of the curve. It upgraded its machinery, trained its workforce, and focused on quality assurance protocols that matched international expectations. Today, AKI continues to supply sports equipment to various global clients and has maintained its legacy as one of Sialkot’s most trusted manufacturers.
While AKI carved its own success, its real contribution was in what it ignited across Sialkot’s manufacturing industry. The story of Double Star inspired dozens of entrepreneurs to pursue global standards in their craft. What was once a cottage industry grew into a multi-billion-rupee export sector.
By the 1990s, Pakistan was exporting millions of footballs annually. At one point, over 70% of the world’s hand-stitched footballs came from Sialkot. Brands like Adidas, Nike, Puma, and Umbro began sourcing from Pakistani manufacturers a legacy that can be traced back to the original spark of Anwar Khawaja’s Double Star.
Moreover, the model of excellence AKI pioneered combining traditional craftsmanship with modern quality control became the benchmark for Pakistan’s entire sports goods sector. Today, football production in Sialkot supports thousands of jobs, empowers local artisans, and continues to build Pakistan’s reputation globally.
Anwar Khawaja may no longer be with us, but his impact lives on in every kick of a ball made in Sialkot whether it’s on a street in Karachi or a stadium in Qatar.
When Double Star earned FIFA approval in 1967, the certification wasn’t handed out lightly. At that time, only a select few footballs globally had passed FIFA’s rigorous quality checks.
Some notable peers included:
Adidas Santiago (1962 World Cup, Chile): A premium leather ball that set the standard for international tournaments. Adidas had already begun building its dominance in Europe by supplying FIFA with match balls.
Slazenger Challenge 4-Star (1966 World Cup, England): The official ball of the 1966 World Cup, made in England, was renowned for its high-grade leather panels and superior craftsmanship. It was widely praised, but also criticized by some players for being heavy when wet.
Select Sports (Denmark, early 1960s): Select was experimenting with synthetic materials, which later became the norm in football manufacturing. However, leather still dominated official matches during this period.
Compared to these established names, Pakistan’s entry with Double Star was groundbreaking. While Adidas and Slazenger were based in industrially advanced Europe, Pakistan was a young nation with limited resources. Yet, Double Star’s performance, durability, and quality stitching allowed it to stand in the same league as these giants.
This achievement wasn’t just about certification it was symbolic. It showed the world that Pakistan could match European innovation, even in industries where tradition and reputation had long been barriers to entry.
From a quiet workshop in Sialkot to the grand stadiums of global football, the journey of Double Star is nothing short of inspiring. What began as a vision in the mind of Anwar Khawaja became a defining moment for Pakistan’s sports goods industry a moment that still echoes through every FIFA-approved ball produced in the country today.
Anwar Khawaja didn’t just create a football; he set a benchmark, proving that a Pakistani-made product could compete and excel on the world stage. His relentless pursuit of quality, innovation in materials like pre-stretched leather, and dedication to global standards paved the way for generations of manufacturers to follow.
Today, when you hear that Pakistan supplies footballs for the FIFA World Cup, or when you see “Made in Pakistan” proudly stamped on a product used in international tournaments, remember that it all started with one man and one ball: Double Star, the first-ever FIFA-approved football from Pakistan.
It’s time we celebrate our unsung industrial heroes those who didn’t wait for the world to notice them, but built something so exceptional, the world had no choice but to look.
Have you ever played with a Sialkot-made football? Or do you have memories tied to a Double Star?
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