PATAFA to drop EJ Obiena from the national training pool of athletes

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Why do we hate our olympic-level athletes? Wesley So. And now EJ Obiena. This is how NOT to retain world-class athletes. Sports politics has been the Achilles heel of Philippine sports. Why dropped our lone bright star in the world stage? PATAFA is driving out deserving athletes from the country by every means necessary.

The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) recommends dropping EJ Obiena from the national training pool of athletes. Coach Vitaliy Petrov will also be terminated as coach.

The PATAFA has recommended that EJ Obiena be dropped from the national training pool, effective immediately. EJ Obiena, is currently the third-best pole vaulter in the world.

It also recommends filing an estafa complaint against the Filipino Olympian and the termination of Obiena's coach Vitaly Petrov. 

It is also recommending that a criminal complaint of estafa be filed against Obiena.

PATAFA's investigative committee found that Obiena misappropriated funds amounting to over 60,000 euros that were released to him by PSC and PATAFA, meant for Vitaly Petrov's coaching fees. 

PATAFA is also recommending that a complaint be filed against Petrov before World Athletics for violation of the Integrity Code of Conduct, and that his adviser, James Lafferty, be declared persona non grata.

Asked if Obiena's side of the story was considered by the PATAFA investigative committee, PATAFA chairman Cong. Rufus Rodriguez said Obiena was given three instances to appear and explain his side.

"Obiena has been given all the chances to appear, he did not," Rodriguez said.

PATAFA president Philip Ella Juico: Petrov made a collection agent out of me, out of PATAFA... Later on... nilaglag ang PATAFA at ako and even Bupka by saying that we forced him and all of that. We're going to the ethics committee because of this 'dishonest' behavior.

Juico: We were thrust in to this situation. We walked into it. We did not ask for this. On the contrary, the report brought so much sadness and feelings of betrayal. We had to face the challenge because we should account for all funds given to us.

Juico: [Obiena] now has to face the consequences which could've been markedly different had he chosen to believe in people whom he has known for the last several years.

Juico: Let those parties he chose continue to help solve his problems and situation. We will be there to help whatever we can.

Juico: We have been minding our own business until Petrov blew the whistle... We were a gold collection agent and he is the latest of the old model of a jukebox. Good luck to him too. He will also be explaining his conduct with the World Athletics.

Juico says PATAFA will be sending a group of athletes to a three-month training overseas for a chance to get "specialized training and access to higher level competitions."

PATAFA who? I hope these clowns get the karma they deserve. Athlete ba sila or sports enthusiasts?? Ugh.

EJ deserves better. Our athletes deserve better. Sina Manny at Hidilyn dumaan din sa maraming hirap bago nakamit ang tagumpay. Our athletes aspire excellence.

Someone should fire these bozos at PATAFA. Let the Olympic Committee take over being Obiena is an Olympian. Nakakahiya na binababoy ng isang ahensya na dapat pinangangalagaan ang isang atleta. If i were Obiena lipat na lang ng ibang bansa naiintindihan ka namin. 

Clearly..can we just abolish this PATAWA--este PATAFA and create a new organization..mga kupal lang talaga na pasahod pa ng bayan.

Bakit mag dadrop ng Olympic level athlete dahil sa mismanagement of fees? Imbis na kasuhan ng PATAFA, tulungan nalang kasi nila mga atleta. Ano ito? Eliminate EJ agad para wag na mahalungkat ang iba pang mga nangyayari sa pondo?

Pera pera pa din sa "palakasan" at mga buwaya. Huwag na kayo umaasa pa na maenganyo ang mga up and coming athletes sa mga pamumulitika ng mga bugok na namamahala.

Grabe magpasalamat at tumanaw ng utang na loob ang pamahalaang ito sa ating mga atletang nagdadala ng karangalan sa ating bansa. Grabe.

Weird talaga ang establisyamento ng mga atleta ng Pilipinas. Hindi to bagay sa paglakas ng  mga programmang atleta ng mga Pilipino. Hanggat ganito ang tao sa atleta, hindi aabante ang mga atletang pinoy.

Wala bang higher government official ang pwede mag intervene dito?? Jusko Ej Obiena has just been named WORLD NO. 3 in Pole Vault tapos ganito?? Diyos diyosan yang PATAFA na yan wala bang pwede magtanggal diyan sa Juico na yan ano ba nagawa niyan?

I really won't be shocked kung iba na kulay ng passport ni EJ next olympics. It's time for EJ to find another country. It's no use being a member of the Philippines team. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re gonna lose the top 3 pole vaulter in the world because of these people at PATAFA. No wonder some of our athletes are getting their love abroad. Go get that bread outside the Philippines. When we see China or any other major country get Obiena to play for them, we have no one to blame but PATAFA.

Filipinos should rally behind Obiena. He does not deserve any kind of harassment from this association led not by even an athlete but a corrupt and trash POLITICIAN. This is the fate of the Philippine Sport and the reason why loving this country is difficult is because we have PATAFA.

PATAFA choosing to drop EJ Obiena is indicative of how little this country cares about its athletes and governing bodies are surprised that athletes choose to rep other countries.

"Puso" and "Pinoy Pride" are not enough to compensate the hard work they've put in to their craft.

Philippine sports in general is already in jeopardy despite a strong showing at the Tokyo Olympics because of decisions like this.

Wesley So was the first domino to fall. Yuka Saso followed his lead and did what was best for her. Expect others to follow them soon.

Abolish PATAFA.. Hindi naman itlog nila ang ma bingwit pag nag pole vault eh.. The government should stop regulating athletes.

Again, WTF PATAFA.

Ej, go play for other countries. The Philippines doesn't deserve you.

..