Will EJ Obiena be the next Wesley So?
Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena has achieved so much this year while representing the country — from jumping to no. 6 in the world rankings to making history with new Philipine and Asian pole vault records.
But recent news has seen Obiena be accused of embezzlement by a PH sports federation that had him threatening to retire. Now, according to Rappler, the promising 26-year-old is receiving nationalization offers from other countries in light of the issue.
Athletics coach and Obiena’s mentor Jim Lafferty, “multiple” countries already have their eyes on the young athlete. In an interview with One News‘ The Big Story, he elaborated, ‘It’s no secret in today’s world that a number of countries are looking at this situation and laughing uncontrollably how the Philippines is driving away a world-class athlete that they can offer a passport to.’
‘Everyone’s scared of him,’ he added. ‘A Brazilian coach told me a couple of years ago, the No. 1 guy out there is Obiena. He’s going to win gold in big competitions. You don’t think other countries don’t want that?’
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Almost a week ago, the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) delivered a letter to Obiena stating that he “falsified the liquidations” and failed to pay his coach, Vitaly Petrov. He clarified through an online press conference that the accusations were not true, only that he failed to pay Petrov on time.
Obiena previously stated that he would consider an “immediate retirement from sport in the Philippines and a return to school” if the federation won’t apologize and drop their accusations.
The pole vaulter’s case is an uneasy reminder of the problematic politics that surround the national sports scene. Chess master Wesley So, who now plays for the United States, became a full-fledged grandmaster at 14 and stands at no. 8 in the world rankings. He recently defeated the world No. 1, Magnus Carlsen, at the Opera Euro Rapid finals and is recognized as the World Fischer Random champion.
So officially became a US citizen earlier in February. He explained his move, ‘That does not mean I don’t love the Philippines. I have good memories from there. But I did not have the connections needed to succeed in that culture.’
‘I love that anyone can strive to succeed (in the US),’ he explained. ‘You are not held back by your color, lack of connections, or the amount of money you have’
While Obiena’s situation isn’t exactly similar to So’s, the Philippines could lose another great athlete if the issue won’t be ironed out.
Lafferty also revealed that Obiena seemingly still wants to represent the Philippines, however, he asked, ‘How do you vault when your own federation is trying to kill you?’
Banner: Benoit Tessie / Reuters
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Source: we the pvblic
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