SAFF Championship Final: Indian footballer Jackson Singh waves Meitei flag while receiving medal, raised eyebrows

The Indian national football team on Tuesday won the SAFF Championship football title for the ninth time in its history after defeating Kuwait on penalties. However, the presentation ceremony was mired in controversy as Indian midfielder Jackson Singh carried a seven-coloured flag to receive his medal at the presentation ceremony in Bengaluru.

The flag that Jackson Singh wore on his back is the Kangleipak ​​flag or the Salai Tarret flag. A rectangular seven-coloured flag, it represents the seven clan dynasties of the Meitei ethnicity of ancient Manipur. Jackson Singh’s act comes in the wake of ongoing violence between Meiteis and Kukis in the state of Manipur. Social media is divided over Jackson Singh’s move with some calling it ‘separatist’ and ‘unprofessional’.

What is Jackson Singh doing with the separatist flag? Doesn’t he know that this is not a state/regional level competition but a prestigious international tournament where he is representing his country India. act @indianfootball pic.twitter.com/d1dvLj9sNn– Siam Boy (@Aamtolzo) 4 July 2023

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Jackson Singh makes a political statement with the Salai Tarret flag on his shoulder during India’s SAFF victory celebration tonight. While we congratulate the team for the win, such an act is unprofessional for a footballer representing the country.@indianfootball @IndiaTodayNE pic.twitter.com/oIU1l8ZPkJ— Twister Singsit (@singsit_tw6662) 4 July 2023

“This is my Manipur flag. I just wanted…what is happening in Manipur…I just wanted to tell everyone in India and Manipur to live peacefully and not fight. ESPN India website quoted Jackson Singh as saying, “I want peace.”

“It has been 2 months now and the fight is still on. I don’t want such things to happen more and I just want to draw the attention of the government and others to get peace.”

As several social media users have observed, Jackson can be seen waving the flag as he receives his medal and during the ceremony afterward. Manipur has been in the grip of violence since early May 2023, when clashes broke out between two ethnic groups, the Meitias and the Kukis.

However, Jackson was not alone in his gesture. The Kangleipak ​​flag also appeared next to the Indian flag hanging in the crowd.

Meanwhile, Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu once again made the difference for the Blue Colts as he saved a crucial penalty kick in the summit clash as India beat Kuwait 5-4 in the shootout. After five rounds of penalty kicks, the scoreline was 4–4 and both sides missed one penalty each, and the sudden death rule was lifted.

Mahesh Naurem went ahead and scored for the Indian team. Sandhu had a tough challenge ahead as Kuwait captain Khalid Hajiya stepped up to level the scoreline. Sandhu made a diving save to keep Khalid’s shot away from the goal line. As soon as he saved the penalty, he ran in and had a live celebration in front of the home fans.

Earlier in the game, Shabab Al Khaldi put Kuwait in the driver’s seat in the 14th minute of the game. India almost equalized in the very next minute. Lalianzuala Changte’s powerful left-footed strike from the edge of the box was met by Marzouk before Chhetri ran in to face the rebound, but was cleared away by Khalid Hajiya.

(with ANI inputs)