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Obiena: PH should start finding new pole talents
Two-time Olympian and pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena insisted that the Philippines should not wait until the end of his career to find his heir apparent.
Returning to top form is still the top priority, but Obiena is pouring his time and efforts by advocating for increased interest in his sport, aiming to share his expertise to children who want to follow in his footsteps.
With the positive response of Filipino youth in sports especially after the Paris Olympics, the world No. 3 pole vaulter said the nation’s sports authorities responsible for grassroots developments should take advantage of this and make its move to make sports accessible.
PHOTO COURTESY: DELFIN DIOQUINO
"This is a high time not just for my sport but for all the sports. I think there's an all-time [high in] interest and I really think we need to invest. What I mean by that is to make it accessible to everyone who wants to do it," said Obiena, a silver medalist in the World Athletics Championships in 2023.
It has always been a dream of Obiena to conduct his own sports clinic to encourage more children to enter pole vault and to do that, he has partnered with Milo Philippines in its 60th anniversary.
“One of the reasons why I want to work with Milo is the reach they have with kids. When you say sports clinics, it’s automatic Milo,” said Obiena during the signing of a contract on Tuesday, September 10.
Obiena’s pole vault clinics will be added to Milo’s long list of workshops, seminars and activities in the grassroots level as one of the prime movers in Philippine sports development, serving as the springboard to the Filipino athletes’ success.
