Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 12) – Bemedaled Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena lamented the missed opportunity to represent the country in the World Athletics Indoor Championships set for March 18-20 in Belgrade, Serbia.
“If country was ever put first, I should be headed to Belgrade now. But I am not. I will watch it on TV like millions of others. I will see other nations take the medal that Philippines should be winning,” Obiena said on social media Saturday.
Obiena – the world no. 5 in the men’s pole vault rankings – will not compete in the tournament due to his rift with national athletics federation Philippine Athletics and Track and Field Association (PATAFA).
PATAFA did not endorse Obiena in his major tournaments this year – including the World Athletics Indoor Championships, 31st Southeast Asian Games in May in Vietnam, World Pole Vault Championships in July, and 19th Asian Games in September in Hangzhou, China.
“I am in prime physical and mental condition. I am ready to be the first Philippine home-grown athlete to compete in the worlds, and I am ready to compete and bring home a medal,” Obiena said.
In his five tournaments last month, Obiena clinched the gold in two events in the Orlen Cup and Orlen Cornicus Cup – both held in Poland.
The Olympic pole vaulter also broke the Philippine indoor pole vault record last March 6, after jumping 5.91 meters in his bridesmaid finish in the 2022 Perche Elite Tour.
“I shed a tear now with a heavy heart, but not just for myself. I shed a tear for my country. We had a chance to show the world our greatness. And we lost it,” Obiena said.
Despite PATAFA’s refusal, the Philippine Olympic Committee has formally included the Italy-based pole vaulter in the lineup for the 31st SEAG.
