Kerala Blasters midfielder Jeakson flaunts a 'Manipur' flag during India's SAFF celebrations

Kerala Blasters midfielder Jeakson Singh grabbed eyeballs by draping himself in a multi-coloured flag during Team India's celebrations after winning the SAFF Championship in Bengaluru Tuesday night.

India had lifted its 9th SAFF title with a 5-4 shootout win over Kuwait. Shortly afterwards, midfielder Jeakson produced a seven-coloured flag as he joined the celebrations with his teammates.

Several Twitter handles were quick to point out that the flag represents Manipur's Meitei ethnicity. Jeakson hails from Manipur, the northeast state where tension has been high since May 3 due to ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population while the tribal communities of Nagas and Kukis constitute about 40 per cent.

Over 100 people have been killed and around 50,000 are living in relief centres at various places in the state as the armed clashes continue.

Many on Twitter said the 'Kangleipak flag' that Jeakson flaunted is synonymous with Meitei nationalism. Some said the same flag was seen in the gallery of the Sree Kanterava Stadium, placed over the tricolour.

Jeakson was instrumental in India's SAFF triumph. Since his senior India call-up in 2021, the lanky 22-year-old has established himself as a vital cog in the midfield for both the national team and Kerala Blasters.

Jeakson also holds the record for being India's first and only goalscorer in a FIFA World Cup. His headed goal in a 1-2 defeat to Colombia in the 2017 U-17 World Cup was India's only goal in the event.