Philippines’ Ernest John Obiena in the course of the thirtieth Southeast Asian Video games. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ/ INQUIRER
MANILA, Philippines—Pole vault star EJ Obiena stays dedicated to representing the Philippines amid his ugly rift with the Philippine Athletics Observe and Subject Affiliation (Patafa) and regardless of receiving profitable gives from different nations.
Obiena reaffirmed his allegiance to the Philippines but additionally made it clear that the continued problem with Patafa might drive him “into selections I don’t wish to make.”
“Even now, on this present disaster, I’ve no want to vary nations. I see these statements on social media and energetic encouragement to change allegiances. However this isn’t who I’m and why I do that. I wish to win for Philippines and present the world what we will do. I wish to win for us,” Obiena, who’s being accused of falsifying his liquidation paperwork by Patafa, mentioned in an announcement late Monday.
“I’ve realized I’ll in some unspecified time in the future don’t have any possibility. I can’t settle for to be accused of false allegations and have my repute smeared. I do know I’ll in some unspecified time in the future be compelled into selections I don’t wish to make. It appears to be taking place lots recently like defending myself in a rushed presscon. However my objective is concentrated on successful gold medals for my nation, my nation, my flag—The Philippines.”
“Loyalty is a advantage”. I initially wish to thank the entire netizens the world over who’ve supported me on this…
Posted by Ernest Obiena – EJ Obiena on Monday, November 29, 2021
The 26-year-old Obiena, who has been coaching extensively in Italy for the previous a number of years, mentioned he turned down gives from different nations even earlier than the controversy with Patafa.
“My pricey good friend and mentor James Michael Lafferty spoke with Gretchen Ho a number of days in the past and confirmed I’ve a number of gives from different nations to compete below their flag. This can be a reality. It’s also true I’ve been approached a number of years in the past already by different nations, floating profitable pay packages to compete for his or her flag,” he mentioned.
“Mr. Lafferty and I at all times agreed loyalty issues. I due to this fact mentioned ‘no’ a number of years in the past. I really like my nation. I’m proud to compete for the flag of the Philippines. I get chills each time I hear our anthem performed and to look at that flag rise excessive.”
Obiena, the Asian document holder, is among the many fast-rising stars within the spot. He’s presently No. 6 on this planet rankings.
His promising profession, nevertheless, is in limbo as a result of row with Patafa as he threatens to retire until he clears his identify from the federation’s grave allegation.
“Talking of loyalty, that is the muse of my robust protection of those allegations. When one values loyalty, one can’t comprehend how my very own “mom group” turned on me, by no means consulted with me, by no means requested me any questions, by no means gave me the good thing about the doubt. That’s not loyalty. Once more, at the least not how I outline it,” Obiena wrote.
“I’m preventing to deliver honor and glory for my nation. Others combat for ego, or energy. However that’s not me. I combat for larger ideas. Loyalty is a advantage. And loyalty nonetheless issues.”
In an earlier assertion, the Tokyo Olympian mentioned he has sought the assistance of a authorized counsel “to symbolize me in all present and future investigations together with the submitting of any attainable and applicable civil, prison, and administrative actions.”
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