Bangalore lawyers team up to celebrate diversity at IDIA Football League 2025

The IDIA Charitable Trust hosted the IDIA Football League (IFL) last weekend at South United Football Club, Bangalore. The event brought legal professionals together and was also a major fundraiser to support legal education for underprivileged students across the country..Traditionally held in Mumbai, this marks the first time that IFL has been held in Bangalore, reinforcing IDIA’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession nationwide.In its inaugural Bangalore edition, 12 teams from some of India’s top law firms, chambers and corporate legal departments participated, demonstrating their unwavering support for IDIA’s mission. The event celebrated the power of sportsmanship in fueling positive social change and creating equitable opportunities for those who often face systemic barriers to accessing legal education..The first edition of IFL Bangalore saw several standout performances, with awards recognising excellence both on and off the field:.Best Cheerleading Squad: Poovayya x BharuchaMost Diverse Team: KeystoneFair Play Award: K&S PartnersBest Female Player: Deepti (IDIA WW)Best Senior Player: Arun Kumar (CrestLaw)Best Goalkeeper: Nikhil (SAM)Highest Scorer: Anirudh Nambiar (Bangalore Boys)Player of the Tournament: Brian Lobo (CrestLaw).Bangalore Boys claimed the Diversity Cup after beating Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (SAM) in the final.Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas beat Trilegal to win the Inclusivity Cup. AG Defenders (a team of lawyers from the Advocate General's office) won the Accessibility Cup by defeating a team from LawNK and Copyright Integrity International..Over the past 14 years, IDIA has empowered more than 249 scholars from economically disadvantaged and under-represented communities to study at India’s top law schools. The IFL is a key fundraising initiative that ensures the sustainability of this mission - transforming lives, reshaping families and building a more inclusive legal community.This year’s IFL Bangalore was a remarkable display of inclusivity and collaboration. Women players and senior legal professionals actively participated, adding diversity and dynamism to the teams. Teams like Keystone Partners, CrestLaw Partners and the IDIA Well Wishers Team exemplified cross-generational teamwork and gender inclusivity, reinforcing the message that when diversity is embraced, it not only survives, but thrives. The tournament was a powerful reminder that the legal profession benefits when everyone is given a chance to contribute and succeed.Senior Advocate Sajan Poovayya graced the event as the Chief Guest and lauded the legal fraternity’s commitment to inclusion and empowerment through initiatives like IDIA.