Brazilian ambassador to Pakistan, Alfredo Leoni. PHOTO:FILE
"We have issued visas to around 200 people from Pakistan, while the rest of Pakistanis are travelling to our country from other parts of the world," Leoni told Rawalpindi Islamabad Sports Journalists Association (RISJA) here at Brazilian Embassy.
A RISJA delegation led by its chairperson, Syed Ehteshamul Haq and President Nasir Raja called on Brazilian Ambassador and presented him a souvenir in connection with FIFA World Cup that rolls into action in Brazil on Thursday.
Leoni praised Pakistan for supplying the balls for the World Cup and added that he was optimistic that the friendship and economic ties between the two countries would bolster in the years to come.
He said football is the world's most popular sport and the fact that FIFA chose Pakistan to manufacture footballs for the World Cup tournament is not only an honour for Pakistan but also for him.
"Though Pakistan is 164th ranked soccer team, it has left all others behind in production of quality balls. I feel proud to be Ambassador in a country whose 100 percent balls would be used in the FIFA World Cup," he added.
Pakistan produces around 70 percent of the total number of hand-made soccer balls in the world. Around the time of the World Cup the production jumps to more than 60 million balls. Sialkot is the hub of the country's football manufacturing industry.
Apart from producing footballs, cricket bats, and badminton rackets for domestic consumption, this small town also exports to the rest of the world.
Syed Ehtesham and Nasir Raja said that Brazil is amongst the top favorites in the 32-nation event and expressed their good wishes for Brazilian team and the nation. Brazil has come a long way since 2010 with a young squad eager to dominate in the international arena.
Correction: In an earlier version of this story, it was erroneously mentioned that Brazil has given waiver on visas to Pakistani fans. The error has been fixed.
COMMENTS (17)
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@ javed ali if u cant do any thing for Pak dn u dnt have a right to blame it.....
This is good move by Brazil, but most importantly Brazil should provide study opportunity in Brazil to Pakistanis for development and combat ignorance
Regards
why does pakistan never qualify for world cup i think they disappear whenever they go for qualification matches in other countries
I reckon with javed sahab.. Indian or Pakistani, I have seen loads of Pakistanis residing illegally in these countries. Not at all a good move.
awesome love you brazil .... @javed ali .. you are an indian ...
We are very obliged by Brazil Embasdar announcement. Thank you so much. Will must go to watch the world cup. Hope Brazil will Win the Final. We the Pakistani are the supporters of Brazil.
Thank u Brazil . I love u Brazil u r so sweet to Pakistan
Javed ali for sure is Indian and he is using Pakistani name to write bad about Pakistan, But the world is not fool anymore, The whole world knows about Indian mentality,
Javed ali for sure you are an indian who use pakistani name , but all the world knew about indian what they are and what they do, no matter what you indian do , you guys are loser.
Thank you His Excellence Alfredo Leoni. You are a true friend of Pakistan.
@Javed ali: Do u mean to say that you were the only person smart enuf to see this and that the Brazilian immigration has no clue about this angle ?
Go to bed @javed ali you are drunk..
@Javed Ali. I don't think this guy is from Pakistan. He must be a nuisance on the net spreading disinformation about Pakistan. Pakistan is a country of 180 million vibrant people. Just because some foreign terrorists who are attacking our innocent public for last 10 plus years, does not mean the whole country is terrorist. Countries like Brazil already are wide awake and does not need your wake up alarm. They know that its not Pakistan but Uzbeks, Tajiks, Afghans and Indian-Western agents are spreading the violence in Pakistan to destabilize the country. Soccer is very popular sport in Pakistan and hopefully our people will promote this sport more as Hockey and Cricket has been complete disappointment.
"Javed" is clearly a Indian troll here to besmirch Pakistanis name.
We are not fooled. Go away.
Dear Javed,
With all your due respect brother, all Pakistanis are not same, there are few bad people in every society it does not mean that the society is bad, however just because of people like you who propagate the wrong image of Pakistan throughout the world honestly does not change our respect in the world and our passion for the football, what message you are trying to deliver, its truly not appreciated by every Pakistani in the world.
We are very much thankful to Brazilian government who took such a marvelous diplomatic move, this would certainly improve the diplomatic relations between both countries.
We are peaceful nation, I hope this is the time to prove the world..!! Obrigado amigos...!!
Regards, Faizan Munawar Ali Varya