POC leaves door open for Obiena

MANILA, Philippines — Olympian pole-vaulter EJ Obiena will see action in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi even if he’s not endorsed by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) and not funded by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino yesterday told the online PSA Forum that Obiena was listed among the 80 athletes who will finance their own trip to the biennial event. That will be the case for Obiena if he’s expelled from the national team.

“There is a provision in the IOC (International Olympic Committee) charter that emphasized the NOC’s (National Olympic Committee) sole authority to submit the delegation proposed by its NSAs (national sports associations) as the final list in all Olympic, regional, continental and world multi-sports events patronized by the IOC,” said Tolentino.

“It will not only be based on the performance of athletes but also on their ability to serve as an inspiration to others.

“Let him (Obiena) play,” he added.