CJ’S CUP 2024: WONGPARTNERSHIP REIGNS SUPREME
Kicks and dribbles for a good cause.
BY MATHANGI ELANGOVAN
The boys of WongPartnership emerged victorious in last weekend’s CJ’s Cup 2024 finals, beating out a team from the SMU Yong Pung How School of Law (SMU YPHSL) after a nail-biting finish.
Reflecting on their win, Mr Joel Quek, a partner in the firm’s dispute resolution team said, “We participated to have some fun and because this is an important cause that our firm treats very seriously. Every year we make sure to send a team, and this year it so happened that the ball fell our way, and we became champions.”
23 teams battled it out in competitive group stage matches, with Davinder Singh Chambers (DSC) SMU Yong Pung How School of Law, Clifford Chance, and WongPartnership placing in the top four. DSC, last year’s champions, narrowly missed the finals after a World Cup-worthy penalty shootout against SMU YPHSL.
Winning—be it cases or football matches—is important at DSC, said Mr Navin Thevar, a director at its firm. “We don't train and we don't play since we have too much work. But when we come every year we try and win. Last year we got lucky and this year we got a bit unlucky.”
The day's festivities commenced with a star-studded exhibition match featuring Minister of Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law Mr Edwin Tong and ex-footballer Mr K. Kannan alongside the SAL All Stars Team and the Law Society’s Women’s Team led by Mr Fandi Ahmad. The women’s team eventually reigned supreme.
Mr Paul Neo, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at SAL, thanked participating teams for helping contribute to the CJ’s Cup record haul this year: $180,000 for both the YRF-SAL STAR Bursary and the Singapore After-Care Association.
“Every year, SAL brings together the profession to lend its support to those looking to reintegrate into society,” said Paul. “And we’re sure some teams also enjoy the chance to settle old scores in a friendly way on the pitch,” he added with a laugh.
SAL organises the CJ's Cup annually to support the YRF-SAL STAR Bursary and the Singapore After-Care Association. We thank the headline sponsors of this year's edition, TSMP Law Corporation and Eugene Thuraisingam LLP. Look out for details of CJ's Cup 2025!
