LEGAL eagles soared to sporting success as they battled for supremacy in the 45th Malaysia-Singapore Bench & Bar Games and 5th Quadrangular Games held here recently.
The Kuala Lumpur Bar, under the auspices of the Malaysian Bar, hosted the three-day Bench & Bar Games, which featured 15 competitive sports -- badminton, bowling, cricket, cross-country, golf, hockey, women's football, netball, pool, premier football, squash, table-tennis, tennis, veteran football and volleyball. Basketball, darts and ladies' futsal were also on the list, but as exhibition friendlies.
In the end, the Malaysian Bar stamped their class with 12 wins, only relinquishing cross country, women's football and pool to the Law Society of Singapore.
As for the Quadrangular Bar Games, the sports contested were badminton, bowling, cross country, golf and football with overall results placing the Malaysian Bar first, with Law Society of Singapore second and the Advocates' Association of Sarawak and Sabah Law Association third.
An estimated 750 judges, lawyers and supporters took part, making this the biggest turnout for a sports event involving the Malaysian Bar.
Culminating the event was a gala dinner, which saw the winners receiving their spoils of victory and revelling in their victories.
A follow-up appreciation dinner was organised at the Tavern in Guinness Anchor Breweries in Jalan Klang Lama here, where Christopher Leong, president of the Malaysian Bar, showed off the gleaming trophy to well-wishers.
The Malaysia-Singapore Bench & Bar Games started in 1969 with the Malaysian Bar and the Law Society of Singapore taking turns to host it annually.
Similarly, the Quadrangular Bar Games was held as a means to foster greater friendship and co-operation between the members of the Malaysian Bar, Advocates' Association of Sarawak, Sabah Law Association -- Malaysia having 3 distinct Bars -- and the Law Society of Singapore.
(The Law Society of Brunei attended the Games as guests and mainly participated in the golf competition.)
Organising chairman Peter-Douglas Ling said: "The 45th Bench & Bar Games and 5th Quadrangular Bar Games showed the sporting prowess of the judges and lawyers of the four contingents.
"It also showed the strength of a united Malaysian Bar both on and off the field of play. For the young lawyers, it was a chance to be involved in an international sporting event, the biggest the Malaysian Bar have undertaken."
