In the midst of the 2010 South Africa World Cup football fever, our association joint in the heat to launch the 8th Dixy Cup Johor Chinese Football Invitation Tournament. This famous and prestigious cup amongst the Johor Chinese Football community has been around for the past 7 years. “DIXY” CUP is named after the brand of our patron and main sponsor; Mr Lim Kok Hong’s beverage products. The tournament is organized by our association annually for the Chinese football community in Johor.
The tournament was initiated in June 1, 2003 which was organized by then the Dixy Dream Team and sponsored by our association patron Mr Lim Kok Hong. 8 teams participated and the 2 finalists were Dixy Dream Team and Segamat Chinese where Dixy Dream Team edged Segamat Chinese 3-1 on penalties after the game was ended with 1-1. All the games were played in Polo Field in Pasir Pelangi, JB.
After the overwhelming support from the teams, and the successful forming of our association in 2004, came the 2nd Dixy Cup Johor Chinese Football Invitation tournament. There were 10 teams from each district of Johor and 2 teams from Foon Yew High School and Southern College participated in this tournament which commenced on March 7, 2004. Our team, JBCFA won the opening match against Muar 1-0. The finals was played in Larkin Stadium on April 17 2004, Batu Pahat Chinese won the cup by beating our team 2-1 which displayed lots of improvement and potential in Johor Chinese football. The 2 venues for the preliminary round in this tournament were Polo Field in Pasir Pelangi and JKR field in Kebun Teh, JB.
The success in the past drove us further in organizing a bigger and more reputable tournament. We had invited 2 favorable local press; Nanyang Siang Bao and China Press to join us as co-organizers of the 3rd Dixy Cup Johor Chinese Football Invitation Tournament in 2005. The tournament was organized in such a grand fashion with the initial press conference; contest during the tournament with fabulous prizes; tournament held in North and South zone of Johor, and a carnival party in the final night. Sponsorship had been generous during the event besides the main from our patron; Mr Lim Kok Hong. Our team being crowned Champions again in an exciting match against Mersing in Larkin Stadium. The score line was 2-1. Batu Pahat was the host for North zone and Polo field was the main stage for South zone in the 3rd year tournament.
4th Dixy Cup started on March 25, 2006. 9 teams competed in the tournament which was held in Seri Gelam fields. Another popular press; Sin Chew Daily was our co-organizer. Our team was knocked out by Segamat Chinese in the semi-final match. Eventually Segamat Chinese won the cup for the first time by beating Mersing 1-0 in the final on May 6, 2006 in Larkin Stadium.
Emerging of new young talents in the Chinese football community and the increasing of the Chinese Football population enhanced our confident, dream and courage to move another step ahead, to organize the Johor Chinese football annual event; DIXY CUP Johor Chinese Football Tournament again. In 2007, the 5th Dixy Cup tournament was successfully run. Segamat Chinese team which enhanced with 8 state players from Johor Chinese FA outplayed the other 7 participants to become the champion of the 5th Dixy Cup. The finals took place in Larkin Stadium on June 17, 2007 and our team was the victim of the sudden death penalties shootout after both teams were tied at 2-2. Final result was 5-4 on penalties in favor of Segamat Chinese. The venues for the tournament were Seri Gelam fields which started on 29 April 2007.
2008 was the most challenging year for our association, especially in organizing the 6th Dixy Cup Johor Chinese Football Invitation tournament. The 6th edition of Dixy Cup was held in Mutiara fields in Dato Onn JB. Singapore Chinese FA was the champion after defeating Panther in the final. Our association held the first ever dinner and presentation night after the final in Pasir Pelangi.
The spirit of football urged our association to organize the 7th Dixy Cup. Our team won the first match against Labis on the opening day; June 14, 2009. 13 teams in 3 groups played in this tournament. JBCFA emerged as Champion with a convincing 5-2 win over Singapore Chinese FA in the final on August 15, 2009. The grand final was held in Pasir Gudang JCorp Stadium. Malaysia football legend Dato Soh Chin Aun and Ex-Johor state midfield maestro Nasir Yusoff were our VIPs for the night. This had been the strongest JBCFA team for the years with players from ex-Malacca Chinese team captain; Lim Chan Hong; JFC professional player; See Kok Lun and ex-Johor Chinese players forming the main structure of the team.
Dato Soh Chin Aun presented the trophy to the 7th Dixy Cup Champion - JBCFA. Witnessed by our main sponsor Mr Lim Kok Hong (front 2nd from right)
See Kok Lun was congratulated by his JBCFA teammates after scoring the 2nd goal against Singapore Chinese in the Grand Final.
This year, the 8th Dixy Cup will kick off on July 4; Sunday in Pasir Gudang Town Council fields which our team, JBCFA; the defending champion will face a resuffled Kulai Chinese at 5pm.
Our association sincerely hope that Johor Chinese Football will move on with the emerge of Dixy Cup football tournament and other local Chinese football tournament.
yepe
3 July 2010
