Manufacturers and exporters engaged in the soccer ball industry in Sialkot city in Punjab province said hectic efforts are on to meet the demand and ensure speedy and timely delivery of the consignments ahead of the event beginning in Germany on June 9.

Over 85 per cent of the world's soccer balls come from Sialkot, while all international brands source their supply.  Footballs worth $210 million are produced annually by some 60,000 highly skilled work force in the city.

The industry is noted for hand-stitched inflatable balls, which have been produced for almost a century now, and are being exported to world markets by over 1000 entrepreneurs.

In the 1980s, Sialkot gained international attention when it produced the "tango" ball used in FIFA World Cup 1982, further popularising its soccer ball industry.