(November 22, 2021) – Pole vaulter EJ Obiena received swift support from the sports community after disputing accusations from the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) that he falsified liquidation reports submitted to the federation, which ordered him to pay P4.8 million.
Obiena, who represented the Philippines in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, now mulls early retirement if Patafa would not issue a public apology and retract its investigation against him. Patafa also accused Obiena of not paying his Ukrainian coach Vitaly Petrov but the latter already clarified that he has received his full coaching fee.
LOOK | In tonight’s press conference, EJ Obiena shared a signed letter from his coach, Vladimir Petrov — stating that Obiena has compensated his salary amid accusations from PATAFA. @News5PH @onenewsph @OneSportsPHL pic.twitter.com/Q5PDJ8cgEE
— Martie (@martie_bautista) November 21, 2021
Obiena stressed that he could not properly focus on his training with the issues surrounding him.
“The only thing I own in my life is my reputation,” said Obiena, who ranks sixth in world standings. “This entire incident has damaged my reputation, and is now forever a part of my history. It is all false and I welcome any court of law to shed light under the power of evidence to investigate the matter.”
Pinabulaanan ng Pinoy pole vaulter na si EJ Obiena ang mga akusasyon ng Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) na peke umano ang binigay niyang liquidations sa pederasyon at bigong bayaran ang kanyang long-time coach na si Vitaly Petrov. pic.twitter.com/6wH9HnxH2l
— News5 (@News5PH) November 22, 2021
Fans lamented on social media the treatment received by the 26-year-old Obiena who has been breaking one record after another in recent international tournaments.
Obiena, who’s based in Italy, set a personal best of 5.91 meters at the Paris Diamond League in August before setting a new record of 5.93 meters at the 2021 Golden Roof Challenge in Austria last September. He broke the old Asian record of 5.92 meters set by Igor Potapovich of Kazakhstan in 1998.
Ej Obiena deserves better.
— Christian (@Christianbocs_) November 21, 2021
EJ Obiena: Gives honor to PH
PATAFA: Shames the country ? https://t.co/XX01FdEhYX— HIGHLIGHT X LIGHT??? (@B2st_YJYYLS_HL) November 21, 2021
Huy ang aga aga naiiyak ako for EJ Obiena???? IMBES NA MAG ISIP NA MAPERFECT ROUTINE NIYA FOR HIS CHAMPIONSHIPS AND PARIS 2024 MAY GANITO PA ????
— Raem (@raemalwaysbroke) November 21, 2021
Others pointed out that the case of Obiena paints a clear picture of the struggles endured by the country’s athletes.
The EJ Obiena issue is why it’s so hard to be a Filipino athlete (or a Filipino in general ?).
People would just try to bring you down as you struggle to raise the nation’s flag. The sh*tiness in the govt is unending. Shame on u patafa.
— an ? (@iamannaxxi) November 21, 2021
The EJ Obiena situation is the perfect example on why Filipino athletes need to work 50x more than the average athlete, even other athletes from 3rd world countries
The PH’s sport systems are abysmal and I’ve seen this first hand, in a football/futsal perspective
— zig (@ZugieSoliman) November 21, 2021
EJ Obiena deserves better treatment from his National Federation. He has brought honor, pride, and medal to our country. Accusing him of falsifying financial documents, without giving him the benefit of the doubt, is absolutely ridiculous and embarrassing.
— ???? (@PerfectPass13) November 21, 2021
Many also recalled the case of other Filipino athletes who had chosen to represent other countries, including chess super grandmaster Wesley So and golf prodigy Yuka Saso.
We lost homegrown chess whiz Wesley So, who began representing the US in 2014, due to lack of funding and the non-recognition of his 2013 Universiade gold. Now we might lose pole vaulter EJ Obiena via retirement because of another dispute.
Hay naku, PH sports. ??? https://t.co/eMLXrBB27A
— Kel #OustDuterte #JunkTerrorLaw #LabanLeni2022 (@jmtanon) November 21, 2021
Not kpop related but I admired EJ Obiena for being a fighter. He knows exactly what his rights as an athlete since I watched him during Tokyo Olympics and now in his issue against PATAFA. PH sports really sucks. We lost Wesley,Yuka, and now Obiena. ????
— JUN HUI?️? #HBDToKihyun ??? (@defbeomcat) November 21, 2021
So, who was born in the Philippines, officially became a United States citizen last February to seek better opportunities after getting dismayed by the politics within the National Chess Federation of the Philippines. Saso, who also represented the Philippines in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has chosen to become a Japanese citizen.
Some netizens said they wouldn’t be surprised if Obiena would represent another country, if presented with the chance, considering the difficulties he’s facing.
Ej obiena should not retire. Instead, he should renounce his citizenship and represent another country like wesley so. Do not let the shitty phil sports politics stop you from doing the thing that you love.
— Yen Kuroba (@cryo_22) November 21, 2021
EJ Obiena SHOULD leave the Philippines and instead represent a country where he’s fully supported and NOT be made to look as a criminal.
— andrés (@thegrandpianist) November 21, 2021
Future headline: Pole vaulter EJ Obiena wins gold
For another country.#politics #sports #Philippines
— The Professional Heckler™️ (@hecklerforever8) November 21, 2021
Veteran sportscaster Noli Eala, who’s also a former Philippine Basketball Association commissioner, said Patafa should have been more professional in settling the dispute with Obiena instead of releasing “sensitive documents” to the media.
This row between PATAFA and EJ Obiena is unnecessary. Why release sensitive documents to media to destroy your top athlete? Where is the professionalism? There are avenues and processes to handle sports disputes. An ugly back and forth on social media is not one of them.
— Noli Eala (@NoliEala) November 21, 2021
Patafa, headed by former Philippine Sports Commission chairman Philip Ella Juico, has yet to comment on Obiena’s scathing remarks. Many called on Patafa to do better and stop “politicizing” the issue if they do not want to lose a brilliant athlete like Obiena.
What PATAFA is trying to do against EJ Obiena seems to be a Wesley So loss in the making, imo.
Why is it that sports associations like PATAFA bring the Philippine sports industry in serious disrepute? These associations need to be clear with what they want. It’s disgraceful.
— Wilfred Gabriel Gapas (@senseigab) November 21, 2021
The EJ Obiena issue is why it’s so hard to be a Filipino athlete (or a Filipino in general ?).
People would just try to bring you down as you struggle to raise the nation’s flag. The sh*tiness in the govt is unending. Shame on u patafa.
— an ? (@iamannaxxi) November 21, 2021
The way Obiena defended his right to be given another try on the olympics,says a lot about this athlete.
Instead of our sports agency helping them,they are the one breaking them.
Shame on PATAFA?— S.Tan (@bgk_angel) November 22, 2021
Obiena is currently training for the next season of international tournaments.
(PM)
