By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
It didn’t take long for pole vaulter EJ Obiena to respond.
Hours after the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) published its six strong recommendations against Obiena and his camp through their investigative committee, the prized Filipino athlete took to social media to air his sentiments regarding the ongoing issue.
Obiena was dismayed and saddened by the PATAFA committee’s findings and is just mainly concerned with clearing his name saying, “Righteousness always wins in the end.”
The superstar thanked the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) for protecting him and assuring that he will still represent the Philippines in the upcoming international pole vaulting competitions despite PATAFA’s plan of ousting him from the national team.
With regards to PATAFA’s recommendation of filing an estafa case of 6,000 EUR (360,000 pesos) involving his head coach Vitaliy Petrov’s salary from May 2018 to August 2018, Obiena said he is ready to face all charges and is hoping that the court will serve him fairness at the end of the day.
Obiena also already informed his head coach Vitaliy Petrov of PATAFA’s claims that he violated the Integrity Code of Conduct.
Meanwhile, Obiena also slammed PATAFA for their recommendation to place Mr. James Michael Lafferty, one of his backers and one of the biggest sports patrons, under persona non grata.
“He has spent millions of his own money to help our athletes without asking or receiving anything in return. He has done so much for the Philippines, the Filipino athlete and even for the PATAFA; and instead of giving him a pat on the back, he is now being rewarded by declaring him a persona non-grata. This is so senseless,” Obiena posted on his official Facebook account.
Despite the back-and-forth, Obiena continued that he will continue to train and represent the country this year.
“I do not jump for Mr. Philip Ella Juico or the PATAFA. I jump for my beloved nation. Ako ay atletang Pilipino. Tumatalon ako para sa Pilipinas at sa lahat ng aking kababayan,” wrote Obiena.
