Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 12) – Filipino pole vault sensation EJ Obiena expressed his excitement to be the Philippine contingent’s flag bearer in the opening ceremony of the 31st Southeast Asian Games on Thursday night at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam.
“It’s a bigger honor because Ate Hidi said it should be me,” said Obiena, referring to the country’s first Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz. He arrived in Hanoi on Wednesday from his training camp in Italy.
Obiena had a much publicized rift with the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), which initially did not want to include the 26-year-old pole vaulter in the SEA Games roster. A Philippine Sports Commission-led arbitration process settled the issue.
Despite the challenges he faced, Obiena said he hopes to make his countrymen proud in the opening ceremony.
“I’m representing not only athletes competing in the SEA Games, but also 100 million Filipinos back home,” Obiena said.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino said the Philippine contingent in the parade of nations segment of the opening ceremony will comprise of 30 members, in compliance with the rules set by event organizers.
“We’re 30 officials and athletes who’ll be allowed in the parade of nations,” said Tolentino. “We chose those athletes who are in Hanoi and those who don’t have a game early the following day.”
The Philippines hopes to defend its overall SEA Games crown in the pandemic-delayed 31st edition of the biennial event.
In front of their countrymen in 2019, Filipino athletes clinched 149 golds, 117 silvers, and 121 bronzes for their second overall SEA Games championship. The first one was in 2005 in the 23rd SEA Games, also held on home soil.
