Nograles urges PSC to overrule Patafa move to remove EJ Obiena from national pool

MANILA, Philippines—A party-list representative blasted the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association for its recommendation to drop EJ Obiena from the national team following the pole vaulter’s dispute with its president Philip Ella Juico.

PBA Party-list Representative Koko Nograles asked why Obiena, currently Asia’s record holder and one of the World Athletics’ top performers in 2021, should be dropped when he’s the country’s best pole vaulter.

“Who should compete for the Philippines? Obiena as the Asian record holder at 5.93 meters is the best qualified athlete in Asia, followed by China with 5.80 meters,” said Nograles. “Can Philip Juico take his place and pole vault that high?”

Obiena recorded 5.93 meters in the 17th Golden Roof Challenge in Austria, breaking a long-standing mark in Asia previously held by Igor Potapovich of Kazakhstan since 1992. He was a finalist in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where he finished 11th.

Juico and Obiena have been on a dispute since November last year, stemming from alleged falsified liquidation reports with regards to payments meant for coach Vitaly Petrov.

The Philippine Sports Commission, through chairman William Ramirez, told Patafa and Obiena once again to settle their issue privately.

Ramirez also told Juico to reconsider the Patafa’s decision of dropping Obiena from the national team. The national association on Thursday said they are deferring the recommendation for another two weeks.