Santanu Hazarika, a multi-disciplinary visual artist from Assam, has collaborated with Japanese gaming company Konami for its flagship football game, eFootball. As part of a global campaign running from August to October 2025, Hazarika has designed a jersey for the game, drawing on elements of Assamese culture.

The design has received international attention, with Brazilian footballer Neymar Jr. promoting the jersey as part of the campaign. The initiative will conclude in December with a fan meet-and-greet event in Mumbai.

The jersey, unveiled on Independence Day, is inspired by the Gamusa, a traditional Assamese cloth characterised by its white base and red woven patterns. The Gamusa holds cultural and symbolic value in Assam, representing identity and pride.

Hazarika has combined the Gamusa’s motifs with influences from heavy metal culture. Speaking about the design, he said, “The jersey is a tribute to my childhood; to days spent chasing footballs across empty fields in Assam, where football was our first love long before any other sport. The Gamusa was always there with us, ever-present on the sidelines of every match, and it became a symbol of both pride and play. The design draws from that nostalgia, from the traditional weave, and from the thrill of the game itself. The wave pattern represents the mighty Brahmaputra; turbulent, powerful, and central to the Assamese identity. This jersey carries my roots, my memories, and my culture, all in one.”

The campaign also features cricketer KL Rahul, footballer Sunil Chhetri, and footballer Nitish Kumar Reddy. Fans will have access to exclusive in-game content and the opportunity to meet players and creators at the December event in Mumbai.

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