Bong Go hopes Patafa-Obiena row resolved soon

Ernest John (EJ) Obiena. (Photo from EJ Obiena Facebook page)
Ernest John (EJ) Obiena. (Photo from EJ Obiena Facebook page)

AS ERNEST John (EJ) Obiena has missed his entry into the World Indoor Championships set next week in Belgrade, Serbia, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has urged the resolution of Obiena’s ongoing row with the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa).

Senator Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, in a statement, said, “Nakakalungkot na dahil sa bangayan, nasayang ang pagkakataong mabigyan muli ng karangalan ang ating bansa sa larangan ng sports."

(It is sad that because of the row, we have lost the chance to win another honor for the country in the field of sports.)

"What has now happened to our battle cry, 'We win as one,' if we could not even resolve issues as one and unite and support our athletes as one people, as one nation?”

The Dabawenyo senator said that he called a committee hearing on February 7, 2022, and urged Patafa and Obiena to talk and agree to participate in the mediation process again. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) was tasked to lead it in fulfilling its mandate.

“Dahil ongoing pa ang mediation process, patuloy akong nananawagan sa PSC at sa dalawang panig na mag-usap at bilisan ang pagresolba ng gusot na ito. Ang kooperasyon ninyo ang kailangan para maayos ang lahat for the sake of our country. Magkaisa po tayo at sana ay walang pulitika sa sports,” Go said.

(As the mediation process is still ongoing, I continue to call on the PSC and the two sides to talk and expedite the resolution of this dispute. Your cooperation is what is needed to fix everything for the sake of our country. Let's unite and hopefully, there will be no politics in sports.)

He hopes that both parties fix what needs to be fixed, do the right thing, set aside self-interest, and resolve the dispute.

Go added, “Please be a good example in your words and deeds because many Filipinos look up to you. The entire people hope that the outcome of this discussion will be good for the benefit of the next generation of athletes.”

Obiena, for his part, expressed his disappointment on Saturday, March 12, over the missed opportunity to compete at the Worlds. His post, which he entitled, “Today the Country I Love Loses,” has generated 2,400 comments and 15,000 shares on Facebook as of this writing.

“I love my country. I am proud of my country. I am driven to be a shining example of the excellence and world-class talent of the Philippine nation. Despite the adversities and the attractive offers from other nations, I have refused to abandon my country. I believe in my country and I believe my fellow countrymen also love our country. And hence would put country first also. Ang bayan ko, Pilipinas!,” Obiena said.

The world men’s No. 5 pole vaulter said that he has qualified for the World Indoor Championships. He currently holds the fourth-highest jump for the season.

He said, "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. Now is my time; NO, now is our time! But sadly, we will never know."

Obiena, however, said he was not endorsed for the Worlds and the registration was already closed. He is the only top-ranked vaulter not participating in the tournament.

Patafa, being the governing body of his sport in the country, is the only authorized organization to endorse his participation at the Worlds.

“If the 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 the Philippines should be winning. 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 ended.

PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, meanwhile, said, “I refrain from any interview because of my role as chairman of the mediation.”

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