Feb. 7, 2025: Call it firepower or a foolish display, but social media in Manipur went into a frenzy after a bizarre yet chilling video of a “football match” sparked a viral sensation, showing a football team armed with AK-47s somewhere in the Kangpokpi area.
In the footage, which spread widely on social media, a man in a fluorescent green football jersey strides toward the camera, ready for action. But instead of a ball at his feet, he’s carrying two automatic assault rifles—one slung over his shoulder, the other in hand. As he raises one of the guns and laughs, the surreal scene unfolds.
The video, first shared by a social media influencer with long hair from Kangpokpi district in Manipur, popularly known as “Kuki Maiba” alias Michael Jackson in their local circle, shows a group of men dressed in full football kits, kicking a ball around the field while carrying AK-47s and M-series American assault rifles. To add to the unsettling visuals, the guns sport red ribbons tied around their barrels.
The location of this unusual match is identified in the video as the Nohjang Kipgen Memorial Playground in K. Gamnomphai village, around 30 km from Imphal.
A poster visible in the clip reveals that the event kicked off on January 20. The jerseys worn by the players, including one marked “Sanakhang” on the front, further heighten the eeriness of the scene, while player No. 15, identified as ‘Ginna Kipgen,’ carries an assault rifle with the same name.
The unsettling blend of sports and weaponry has drawn widespread attention, raising concerns about the message it sends. The viral footage now leaves viewers questioning the true nature of the event.
