Keeping with the tradition of remembering the memory of the late lawyer, Bankole Olumide Aluko (SAN), a founding partner in the law firm of Aluko & Oyebode, who died over two decades ago, the BOA Lawyers League Football Tournament returns with a bang this year.

The tournament which kicks off Sunday, 5 May at the Lagos Preparatory School Ikoyi Lagos, features prominent law firms in the city of Lagos provides a friendly and competitive environment. This year’s edition is the 19th edition in the series.

The BOA Lawyer’s League was suspended in Week 3 of the 2020 edition in the wake of COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria.

Champions of the 17th edition Falana and Falana are not featuring in the league this year.

Fifteen teams representing law firms in Lagos are gearing up for the kickoff date with enthusiasm and high hopes of winning the coveted trophy after the draw ceremony was held over the weekend.

Speaking at the draw ceremony, Chukwuka Ikwuazon (SAN), a partner at ALN Nigeria/Aluko & Oyebode and former Chairman of the NBA, Lagos Branch said the 19th BOA Lawyers League promises to be exciting and glamorous as the organisers will leave nothing to chance to ensure a memorable tournament in honour of the late partner, Bankole Olumide Aluko (SAN) who they all held in high esteem.

Represented at the draw ceremony by Emma Ndiyo, a senior associate at Aluko & Oyebode, Ikwuazon (SAN) said it was an honour to have other colleagues from other law firms hold the tournament again after its suspension in 2020.

“We are looking forward to having fun this year. This is a 12-week league and the teams are ready for the commencement of hostilities,” Ikwuazon (SAN) said.

The 15 registered participating teams were grouped into Pot A (Harmattan) and Pot B (Rain). At the end of the draw witnessed by representatives of the law firms, Temsplars, ALP, UUBO, Grey Bloom, Wole Olanipekun, Dentos-Acas, DOA and Gelias were grouped in Pot A, while the likes of OALP, Minerva, Aluko & Oyebode, Strea & Blan, Punuka B & I and Pinheiro were in Pot B.

The league will be played in round robin format in the group stage where four top teams in each group qualify for the quarter finals. Classification matches will be played among the teams that fail to make it to the quarter-final.

The league will be played under the strict rules of the round leather game to obtain the best standard practices as laid by FIFA, the world football governing body.