Lagos — The Annual Bankole Aluko memorial soccer tournament ended last week with the indomitable "Rooftop 11" team of Babalakin & Co clinching the cup for a second time running. The competition, now in its fourth edition witnessed over 12 law firms trade tackles on the football pitch for the coveted trophy. The Unilag Sports Centre, venue of the annual fiesta was filled to capacity with spectators made up mainly of lawyers, football enthusiasts, friends and family members of the late legal titan, Bankole Aluko, SAN, in whose memory the yearly event is held. The late Senior Advocate who passed on in five years ago was well known for his undying love for football. His unflinching support for the national team, the Green Eagles saw him travel to watch the team play in any major international tournament. Little wonder therefore that his law firm, Aluko & Oyebode decided to immortalise his name by putting together an annual inter-law-firms soccer competition.

This year's series saw major law firms in Lagos vying for laurels. After a round of eliminations, the finals on Sunday March 19 saw the firm of Ricky Tarfa coasting home as first runner up in the third place match. The major event of the day could only be described as a "Clash of the Titans" as the defending champions Babalakin & Co.'s Rooftop 11 and their opponents, Adepetu, Caxton-Martins & Agbor settled down in a duel to determine who this year's victor would be.

It was indeed a "no man's" game, as both sides appeared equally yoked. The veterans, Adepetu, Caxton-Martins & Agbor were not prepared to yield any grounds to the defending champions who wrested the cup from them last year. Both teams came out in very colourful jerseys, Rooftop 11 in impressive burgundy, while their opponents in immaculate sky-blue. This year, it was the team of Adepetu, Caxton-Martins & Agbor that came with a band of trumpeters and drummers, unlike last year when it was the other way round. However, the carnival-like atmosphere that was thus created had the spectators yelling for action. As at half time however, both sides were yet to score in spite of the several efforts. Though the Babalakin Boys had one of the their goals disqualified in the first half, the second half was no better as no ball had found the net. This set the Babalakin team into jubilation, as they are perceptibly better at penalty shoot-outs. This was exactly the position last year.

Match was temporarily disrupted with the annoying interference of "Area Boys" who from know where set themselves behind the goalkeepers to harass distract. Lawyers, known for their gentlemanly disposition had matters put under control and proceedings resumed to see The ROOFTOP 11 coasting home to victory with a 2-1 win. Again, the firm of Adepetu, Caxton Martins & Agbor lost this year's game by the whiskers. It was a crest fallen Mr. Shola Adepetu who left the field with a sad smile having lost his own penalty. He has however continued to receive commendations for his agility and soccer prowess in tackling younger opponents. The cacophony that erupted in the Babalakin camp after being presented with the cup was deafening.

The year's Bankole Aluko memorial soccer tournament may have come and gone, but like last year the same questions continue to be asked. When will the competition go national? When will the Ministry of Sports or NFA take over and oversee the competition to ensure better officiating? How do we eliminate the perennial malaise of "mercenaries"? Why has the NBA not shown some interest in this initiative so far? While keen watchers of the yearly fiesta continue to ponder over these questions, the organisers of the tournament deserve nothing but accolades at its doggedness and steadfastness in replicating this feat annually.