EJ Obiena aims to build pole vault pits to help future athletes | ABS-CBN
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EJ Obiena aims to build pole vault pits to help future athletes
EJ Obiena aims to build pole vault pits to help future athletes
Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena during his meet and green in Paranaque, September 15, 2024. He was joined by volleyball phenom Alyssa Valdez, two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist for karate Jamie Lim, and Philippine Women's National Football team captain Hali Long. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News
Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena during his meet and green in Paranaque, September 15, 2024. He was joined by volleyball phenom Alyssa Valdez, two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist for karate Jamie Lim, and Philippine Women's National Football team captain Hali Long. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA -- Filipino Olympian EJ Obiena wants to help the next generation of pole vaulters by providing them the tools to hone their craft.
MANILA -- Filipino Olympian EJ Obiena wants to help the next generation of pole vaulters by providing them the tools to hone their craft.
Obiena is giving back by helping raise funds to give aspiring Filipino pole vaulters the proper equipment to train, something he believes is lacking in the country.
Obiena is giving back by helping raise funds to give aspiring Filipino pole vaulters the proper equipment to train, something he believes is lacking in the country.
He said the meet and greet event on Sunday with 300 fans doubles as a fundraiser for his goal to build pole vault pits across the country.
He said the meet and greet event on Sunday with 300 fans doubles as a fundraiser for his goal to build pole vault pits across the country.
"[I am] a bit shocked. It's quite a bit too much and I really apologize to everyone that was not able to come in," Obiena said of the warm reception he received especially at the event.
"[I am] a bit shocked. It's quite a bit too much and I really apologize to everyone that was not able to come in," Obiena said of the warm reception he received especially at the event.
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"Thanks to them, we'll be able to donate pits all over the Philippines. I'm not donating one in Manila anymore, we have enough here I think. At least you know, equity wise, I want to do it in corners or places where there's really not a lot of facilities," he explained.
"Thanks to them, we'll be able to donate pits all over the Philippines. I'm not donating one in Manila anymore, we have enough here I think. At least you know, equity wise, I want to do it in corners or places where there's really not a lot of facilities," he explained.
Obiena said there are only a few pole vault pits in the country like in his alma mater the University of Santo Tomas, Rizal Memorial Complex and in the Ultra Track Oval in Pasig.
Obiena said there are only a few pole vault pits in the country like in his alma mater the University of Santo Tomas, Rizal Memorial Complex and in the Ultra Track Oval in Pasig.
The world number three pole vaulter admitted that he can only do so much to raise more awareness and support for the sport. But he hopes his success on the world stage will help encourage others.
The world number three pole vaulter admitted that he can only do so much to raise more awareness and support for the sport. But he hopes his success on the world stage will help encourage others.
"Right now I'm just an individual so my reach and my resources are very limited. This is why I'm very thankful for the opportunity I had today. All these girls that was there with me sa panel, they did this with the goodness of heart. Alyssa [Valdez] moved her flight, Jamie [Lim] adjusted. All of them. I told them that this is a fundraiser and with that they understood the goal," he said.
"Right now I'm just an individual so my reach and my resources are very limited. This is why I'm very thankful for the opportunity I had today. All these girls that was there with me sa panel, they did this with the goodness of heart. Alyssa [Valdez] moved her flight, Jamie [Lim] adjusted. All of them. I told them that this is a fundraiser and with that they understood the goal," he said.
The Tondo, Manila native said the first step in pushing the sport in the country is to make it more accessible for all, not just those in Metro Manila and urbanized cities.
The Tondo, Manila native said the first step in pushing the sport in the country is to make it more accessible for all, not just those in Metro Manila and urbanized cities.
"My goal is basically to make it conducive for kids to try it. I wanna take the opportunity that kids that want to do pole vault and have the place to do it. With that you create a bigger pool of talents. With that you have more medallists and more possible champions," Obiena added.
"My goal is basically to make it conducive for kids to try it. I wanna take the opportunity that kids that want to do pole vault and have the place to do it. With that you create a bigger pool of talents. With that you have more medallists and more possible champions," Obiena added.
The Filipino Olympian said he's working with collegiate leagues to include pole vault especially at the juniors level.
The Filipino Olympian said he's working with collegiate leagues to include pole vault especially at the juniors level.
With more interest in the sport, Obiena hopes the government will not only put more attention on pole vault but also give more financial support.
With more interest in the sport, Obiena hopes the government will not only put more attention on pole vault but also give more financial support.
The Paris Olympics fourth placer said there is a lot of talent in the country, like Hockett Delos Santos, Obiena's former national teammate.
The Paris Olympics fourth placer said there is a lot of talent in the country, like Hockett Delos Santos, Obiena's former national teammate.
MORE FILIPINAS IN POLE VAULT?
President Ferdinand R. Marcos confers a citiation to Filipino Olympian Ernest Obiena and gave a cash incentive worth P1 million from the Office President on August 13, 2024, during the Philippine Olympic team's courtesy call at Malacanang Palace. Yummie Dingding, PPA poolAside from finding the next pole vault star to follow in his footsteps, Obiena is encouraging more Filipinas to try the sport.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos confers a citiation to Filipino Olympian Ernest Obiena and gave a cash incentive worth P1 million from the Office President on August 13, 2024, during the Philippine Olympic team's courtesy call at Malacanang Palace. Yummie Dingding, PPA poolAside from finding the next pole vault star to follow in his footsteps, Obiena is encouraging more Filipinas to try the sport.The world number three pole vaulter believes there should be more female pole vaulters, not just in the Philippines, but across the world.
The world number three pole vaulter believes there should be more female pole vaulters, not just in the Philippines, but across the world.
"I think we're actually gonna be good at that. You know we have a bunch of talented women all over the world, not just in the Philippines. And I think right now here in Southeast Asia it's lacking, the representation. I think with that it's actually a good opportunity for the Philippines to take. And hopefully we can win a couple of medals, SEA Games Asian Games and all over," he said.
"I think we're actually gonna be good at that. You know we have a bunch of talented women all over the world, not just in the Philippines. And I think right now here in Southeast Asia it's lacking, the representation. I think with that it's actually a good opportunity for the Philippines to take. And hopefully we can win a couple of medals, SEA Games Asian Games and all over," he said.
The country's recent female pole vaulters include Fil-Am Natalie Uy and Alyana Nicolas.
The country's recent female pole vaulters include Fil-Am Natalie Uy and Alyana Nicolas.
Uy won bronze at the 23rd Asian Athletics Championships, while Nicolas bagged bronze at the 2021 Southeast Asian Games.
Uy won bronze at the 23rd Asian Athletics Championships, while Nicolas bagged bronze at the 2021 Southeast Asian Games.
OBIENA ON TRAINING POLE VAULTERS
When asked if he plans to help train the future generation of pole vaulters, he said he's focused on being an athlete first and this is his way to help develop others.
When asked if he plans to help train the future generation of pole vaulters, he said he's focused on being an athlete first and this is his way to help develop others.
"I don't think I'm at that point yet to train anyone. My key is I hope that these pits would be able to raise the next generation of pole vaulters. I don't know if I can train them. But of course I want to set up clinics and Milo is helping me with that," Obiena said.
"I don't think I'm at that point yet to train anyone. My key is I hope that these pits would be able to raise the next generation of pole vaulters. I don't know if I can train them. But of course I want to set up clinics and Milo is helping me with that," Obiena said.
"Of course after that we'll have the coach's seminars to make sure there's going to be coaches that will be able to sustain this project. It's not like a one time thing. I'm hoping this will be a long term investment with good returns," he added.
"Of course after that we'll have the coach's seminars to make sure there's going to be coaches that will be able to sustain this project. It's not like a one time thing. I'm hoping this will be a long term investment with good returns," he added.
Obiena on Sunday also gave back to his supporters by holding a meet and greet event at a mall in Parañaque City.
Obiena on Sunday also gave back to his supporters by holding a meet and greet event at a mall in Parañaque City.
The Filipino Olympian hopes to hold the 'world-class' pole vault competition he earlier promised next year.
The Filipino Olympian hopes to hold the 'world-class' pole vault competition he earlier promised next year.
Last month, Obiena postponed the event after he fractured his spine and after his team faced 'unexpected hurdles.'
Last month, Obiena postponed the event after he fractured his spine and after his team faced 'unexpected hurdles.'
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