These giant footballs were part of a display in South Africa at the beginning of the 2010 World Cup. Photo (cc) flickr user warrenski

These giant footballs lined a South African street at the start of the World Cup this June, each a representative of one of the famous FIFA cup balls.  In Germany, another giant football is on the streets: a hand-stitched football covered in hand-written well wishes for Germany’s football team.

Unveiled in Berlin the day after the World Cup began in June, the giant football has passed through Berlin’s streets and stopped in public places for fans to write words of encouragement and support for the German team who, sadly, lost against Spain last night, thus putting them out of the running for the cup this year.

The Pak-German Council for Culture and Democracy collaborated with the Pakistan Embassy in Berlin to organize the travels of the giant football, which Shahid Kamal, Ambassador from Pakistan to Germany, is said to have called a clear indication of friendship between the two nations.

The ball was hand-stitched in Sialkot, a city known for its production of handmade footballs.  The majority of the soccer industry in Pakistan depends on these stitchers, who have been working in the industry for decades. The Tango ball used in FIFA world cup 1982 came from Sialkot – what an honor!

Muhammad Ishaw Butt, the president Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has praised the role that the Pakistani Embassy in Berlin has played in promoting the hand-stitched footballs of Sialkot.  According to TheNews.com, Ambassador Kamal has taken a personal interest in promoting the Sialkot export hub known, not only for its footballs, but for many quality sports products used around the globe.

I had hoped to see this giant football land in a museum once Germany won the world cup, as a reminder of the warm feelings of Pakistani nation for the German nation. The German team is out of the race, but the feelings of friendship remain: Pak-German dosti zindabad! (Long live Pak-German friendship!)