‘I hope that peace returns to Manipur’: Jeakson Singh explains flag gesture after India win SAFF Championship

The Indian national football team won the SAFF Championship 2023 on Tuesday, defeating Kuwait in a penalty shootout after the match was tied 1-1 after extra time.
However, during the presentation ceremony Indian midfielder Jeakson Singh carried a flag sporting seven colours which led to quite a few sharp reactions on social media.
Clarifying his position, Singh took to Instagram and wrote: “Dear Fans, celebrating in the flag, I did not want to hurt the sentiments of anyone. I intended to bring notice to the issues that my home state, Manipur, is facing currently.
“This win tonight is dedicated to all the Indians.”
“I hope that peace returns to my home state of Manipur.”
“Thank you to the fans for coming out and supporting the team tonight,” he added.

Singh also spoke to the media after the game and said, “It’s my Manipur flag. I just wanted to…what’s happening in Manipur…i just wanted to tell everyone in India and Manipur to stay in peace and not fight.
“I want peace. It’s been 2 months now and still fighting is going on. I don’t want that kind of thing to happen more and I just want to bring the government’s and other people’s attention to get peace you know. My family is safe but there are lot of families who have suffered and lost their home and all,” he was quoted as saying ESPN.
The win over Kuwait was a major confidence boost for India, and it will give them hope that they can continue to improve and challenge for more silverware in the future.
Meanwhile, the northeastern Indian state of Manipur has been rocked violence since May 2023. The violence has primarily been between two local ethnic communities, the Meitei and Kuki.