POC lists EJ for SEA Games

MANILA, Philippines, March 11 ------ POC president Cong. Bambol Tolentino said yesterday he has included world No. 5 pole vaulter EJ Obiena and his Ukrainian coach Vitaliy Petrov in the Philippine lineup for the coming Hanoi SEA Games. PATAFA president Philip Juico refused to endorse Obiena and Petrov but Tolentino said POC has the final say in accrediting the members of the national delegation.

Regarding PATAFA’s complaint filed before the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Tolentino said POC will address it. “Just focus on your training and book your ticket to the SEA Games,” Tolentino told Obiena on PlayItRightTV. “Don’t worry about CAS. POC will handle it. Actually, POC and EJ are the respondents while PATAFA is the complainant. I think this might be the first time ever or if not, one of the few cases that an NSA has lodged a complaint against its own NOC (National Olympic Committee) before CAS. Hindi lang nakakahiya sa kababayan natin kundi sa buong mundo na dinala ang away na internal sa atin sa CAS. At mahal ito with the filing fee, lawyers fees. Baka umabot sa 50,000 Swiss Francs or P2.8 million ang gagastusin sa kasong ito. Sayang at sana para sa atleta na lang.”

Tolentino said the irony of the case is PATAFA is part of POC. He noted that if the complaint is about POC declaring Juico “persona non grata,” that status will be rescinded upon the resolution of the mediation process now ongoing between PATAFA and Obiena. Nobody is allowed to speak about the mediation which Obiena agreed to in writing last Feb. 14. PATAFA filed the case before CAS a few days after agreeing to mediation.

Obiena said he’s ready to compete at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Belgrade on March 18-20. After the competition, he plans to join one or two more meets before the SEA Games in May. Last Sunday, Obiena warmed up for the World Championships by bagging the silver medal with a leap of 5.91 meters at the Perche Elite Tour in Rouen, France. The jump set a new Philippine indoor record. Obiena attempted to clear 6.01 but failed in three tries. “It’s coming close,” said Obiena, referring to making the six-meter leap. “Coach Vitaliy suggested I use big poles to do it. I want to make history in the SEA Games.”

Source: philstar.com