Coca-Cola Pakistan, in collaboration with Oscar winning film-maker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, has released a documentary that follows the journey of a teenager from Sialkot, as he makes history by becoming the first Pakistani to set foot on a FIFA World Cup football field.
Ahmed Raza, whose passion for football runs deep, saw his dreams become a reality when Coca-Cola Pakistan provided him with the opportunity to conduct the coin-toss for the match between Brazil and Costa Rica at the FIFA World Cup 2018 on 22nd June 2018 in Russia.
Talking on the historic moment for the Country, the General Manager of Coca-Cola Pakistan & Afghanistan Region, Rizwan U. Khan said: “Continuing with our tradition to go above and beyond in our efforts to share happiness, Coca Cola Pakistan had taken this step to give young Pakistani kid, Ahmed Raza, the joy of a lifetime while inspiring others along the way. When Ahmed became the first Pakistani ever to officially step foot on the field of FIFA World Cup, it gave us immense pride and made it a historic moment for the people of Pakistan.”
Stitching Ahmed’s Dream with Coca-Cola
Along with Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Coca-Cola Pakistan partnered with Pakistan’s leading production house, SOC Films, to document and celebrate Ahmed Raza’s story. Obaid-Chinoy narrates the young boy and his father’s uplifting story as they share the surreal experience of witnessing the biggest sporting event in the world. For generations, Ahmed’s family has hand-stitched the very footballs used in the FIFA tournaments. While his elders focused on the craft of stitching, Ahmed’s interests lied elsewhere. The young boy spent his days and nights playing football, with the hopes of one day becoming a part of the Pakistani football team. The documentary shows Ahmed in the midst of the FIFA World Cup: surrounded by thousands of football fans, all eyes set on him, his football idol Neymar Jr. sharing the pitch with him as he commences the match with the coin toss.
Ahmed, who has been given a football scholarship by Coca-Cola Pakistan, is on the path to make his dreams come true and his story is beautifully captured by Sharmeen-Obaid Chinoy.
Coca-Cola Pakistan had also released the Official World Cup Anthem in Pakistan, “COLORS”, to much acclaim, featuring Coke Studio sensation Qurat-ul-ain Balouch [QB] and Billboard Top 100 Artist Jason DeRulo.
