Ernest John Obiena, in motion right here final yr in Europe, manufacturers allegations as character assassination. —PHOTO COURTESY OF ERNEST OBIENA’S FACEBOOK PAGE
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine pole vault star Ernest John Obiena on Sunday dismissed as a mere private assault the financial points hurled in opposition to him after the Philippine Athletics Monitor and Discipline Affiliation (Patafa) ordered him to return €85,000 (over P4.8 million) in monetary help.
And he’s gone on assault mode now.
One of many darlings of the small Philippine contingent that took half within the final Olympics in Tokyo, Obiena tried to clear his identify in a Zoom press convention by exhibiting a letter signed by Vitaly Petrov that the quantity was acquired by his coach as fee for companies rendered in his buildup and participation within the Video games.
“All I can say — with documented proof — that these rumors are one hundred pc false and characterize nothing greater than character assassination,’’ stated Obiena, who sat beside Petrov in the course of the presser. “Your complete incident has broken my repute and is now eternally part of my historical past.’’
Obiena has been damage with what has transpired and is threatening to retire “from the game that I really like.”
He stated {that a} reconciliation with Patafa and its president, Philip Ella Juico, is now “all as much as them.”
In a letter to Obiena dated Nov. 15, the Patafa stated “primarily based on the written statements of Mr. Sergey Bubka and Mr. Vitaly Petrov, together with the paperwork you’ve submitted to the Patafa, it seems that you falsified the liquidations submitted to the Patafa and didn’t pay the teaching charges of Mr. Vitaly Petrov within the whole quantity of Eighty-5 Thousand Euros (€85,000).’’
Obiena stated he’s presently within the means of submitting complaints earlier than the Philippine Olympic Committee, Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Athletics.
“We’re speaking of slander and defamation of character. I’ve retained a authorized counsel and I do intend to pursue this vigorously,’’ he stated.
Quitting in his prime
The Patafa, the nationwide sports activities affiliation beneath which Obiena is affiliated, likewise claimed that the 26-year-old Tokyo Olympian “falsified the liquidations submitted’’ to the federation, paperwork supplied to the Inquirer confirmed.
“The one decision to this now’s the complete and public withdrawal of the investigation and a full public apology from the authorities concerned on this. If this doesn’t occur, I’ll contemplate my different choices reminiscent of retirement from the game that I really like,’’ stated Obiena.
“I’ve prided myself in embracing the values of self-discipline, competitiveness, honor, transparency and respect. This doesn’t change even in occasions of disaster,’’ added the present Asian champion and record-holder.
Bubka, an Olympic gold medalist and six-time world champion in males’s pole vault, is the vice chairman of World Athletics, president of the Nationwide Olympic Committee of Ukraine and member of the IOC.
“I welcome a full and open accounting. I’ve nothing to cover,’’ stated Obiena, who employed worldwide auditing agency Worth Waterhouse Coopers to audit your complete portion paid to Obiena and Petrov for the reason that starting of 2018. “It’s going to present that each single centavo has been accounted for.’’
Obiena stated he acquired two communications from Patafa, one from the investigative committee of the federation whereas the opposite was a letter allegedly accusing him of stealing the cash supposed for Petrov.
“No one requested for readability or supporting documentation. They only leveled the fees in opposition to me,’’ stated Obiena, who was compelled to cease his coaching after Patafa minimize the monetary assist.
Petrov started his work as Obiena’s coach early in 2014 with the Patafa agreeing to pay him 2,000 euros each month and the Philippine Sports activities Fee (PSC) shouldering all of the bills incurred within the coaching camp.
Obiena, who positioned eleventh within the finals of the Tokyo Olympics, stated he would offer extra proof to Patafa and the PSC that he paid Petrov.
“The one factor we really personal in life is our repute. I’ll fiercely defend mine from baseless allegations, which expose the political underbelly of some on the planet of sports activities,’’ stated Obiena. INQ
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