Obiena, walang balak talikuran ang Pilipinas

ni Gerard Arce - @Sports | December 01, 2021

Tiniyak ni 2020 Tokyo Olympian pole vaulter Ernest “EJ” Obiena na wala siyang planong talikuran ang Pilipinas at magpalit ng ibang nasyon sa gitna ng 'di pagkakaunawaan sa Philippine Athletics and Track and Field Association (PATAFA).

Niliwanag ng 26-anyos na 2019 SEA Games gold medalist na pawang kuru-kuro lang ang paglipat niya ng ibang bansa kasunod ng pahayag ng kanyang long-time advisor at kaibigang si James Michael Lafferty na maraming bansa umano ang nag-alok na magpalit na ito ng nasyon at pasaporte para kumatawan sa international competitions.

Ngunit pinabulaanan ito ng dating UST student-athlete dahil mananatili umano itong tapat at dadalhin ang Pilipinas sa mga pandaigdigang torneo kahit na may isyu sa federation. “I therefore said “no” several years ago. I love my country. I am proud to compete for the flag of the Philippines. I get chills every time I hear our anthem played and to watch that flag rise high. I take pride and joy to win and win even when I’m not “supposed” to be the victor. I will never abandon my nation because of money. That’s not loyalty. At least not how I define it,” pahayag ni Obiena. “Even now, in this current crisis, I have no desire to change nations. I see these statements on social media and active encouragement to switch allegiances.

But this is not who I am and why I do this. I want to win for Philippines and show the world what we can do. I want to win for us.”

“I have realized I may at some point have no option. I cannot accept to be accused of false allegations and have my reputation smeared. I know I may at some point be forced into choices I don’t want to make. It seems to be happening a lot lately like defending myself in a rushed presscon. But my goal is focused on winning gold medals for my nation, my country, my flag—The Philippines,” wika ng 2019 Universiade champion.