FILE – The Philippines’ Ernest John Obiena competes within the males’s pole vault closing throughout the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Video games on the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on August 3, 2021. (Photograph by Ben STANSALL / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines–Philippines’ high pole vaulter EJ Obiena had gotten “a number of” provides from different international locations even earlier than being embroiled in an issue with the nationwide athletics federation.
This was revealed by Obiena’s mentor Jim Lafferty as Obiena battles allegations of falsification of liquidation paperwork and failure to pay his coach introduced ahead by the Philippine Athletics Monitor and Area Affiliation.
“Lengthy earlier than this occurred, there was already a line of individuals at his door to supply him a passport,” mentioned Lafferty in an interview with ONE Sports activities’ Gretchen Ho. “A number of [countries]. It’s not one. It’s a number of.”
#TheBigStory: Jim Lafferty confirms there are already MULTIPLE OFFERS from diff international locations for EJ Obiena, however reiterates Obiena desires to remain & compete for the Philippines.
“However how do you vault when your personal federation is making an attempt to kill you?”@onenewsph @News5PH @OneSportsPHL pic.twitter.com/B5J4h2C4kL
— Gretchen Ho (@gretchenho) November 26, 2021
“He’s the most well liked factor in observe and subject, as a result of he’s gone from [world] No. 30 to No. 10 to No.8 to No.5 and everyone seems to be afraid of him….He’s gonna win golds in large competitions. Now you don’t suppose different international locations don’t need that?”
Obiena, who holds the Asian document in males’s pole vault of 5.93 meters, has threatened to retire from worldwide competitors following his row with Patafa, demanding a “full and public withdrawal of investigation, and a full public apology from the authorities concerned.”
He has insisted that he has absolutely paid his Ukrainian coach Vitaliy Petrov however admitted to paying the legendary mentor late up to now. Petrov backed Obiena’s assertion.
In response to an Inquirer report, Patafa is pushing via with its choice to analyze Obiena “based mostly on the proof they’ve” even when the Tokyo Olympian refuses to face probe.
“It’s no secret in in the present day’s world that various counties are this case and laughing controllably at how the Philippines is driving away a world class athlete that they will provide a passport to,” Lafferty mentioned.
Lafferty mentioned Obiena had requested for his recommendation on the provides from different international locations up to now, however the pole vaulter insisted on representing the Philippines.
“I’ve all the time instructed him, ‘you wanna vault on your dwelling nation.’ He mentioned, ‘I do.’ He doesn’t wish to depart the Philippines. He doesn’t wish to do that. He desires to remain and vault right here. However how do you vault when your personal federation is making an attempt to kill you?
One of many largest Filipino stars who modified nationalities after a murky historical past with sports activities authorities is Tremendous Grandmaster Wesley So, who’s now an American Citizen.
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