The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has suspended the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) as pole vaulter EJ Obiena will miss the World Indoor championships for lack of his endorsement.
Obiena’s request to participate in the Southeast Asian Games, the World Championships in July, and the Asian Games were also turned down by the NSA.
POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said PATAFA failed to serve its purpose as a National Sports Association (NSA). He said that PATAFA has “deliberately and intentionally disregarded our basic principles of promoting sports and development.”
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“Unfortunately, the non-endorsement of EJ has created a national issue. EJ Obiena, under our International Olympic Committee Charter, has two reasons to be endorsed—sports merit and inspiration to the youth.”
Tolentino said that PATAFA withheld an opportunity of the Filipino people to have another world record.
He said in case the PSC’s mediation effort over PATAFA and EJ [Obiena] is completed and ironed out,” its suspension will also be lifted.”
