Athletes
TOMO LXIX, BILANG II NOVEMBER 2021 -JANUARY 15, 2022
BY AILA JOY ESPERIDA
Bringing pride to the Philippines has become the primary goal of every common athlete. Competing in different events with their countrymen as a source of inspiration and securing the awards for their beloved nation, yet these prodigies are being pulled down by the national sports organizations who were supposed to uplift them. It was heartbreaking to witness another Filipino Olympian and legendary pole vault star driven away to his passion and goal due to mudslinging. Ernest John Obiena, a 26-yearold national treasure, became the No. 6 vaulter in the world with an Asian record of 5.93 meters leap, and has won numerous top-level competitions. He was also the sole Asian to reach the final round in the recent Tokyo Olympics, ranking 11th place. However, the pole vault star almost lost his shine after the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) claimed that he had falsified the liquidation of funds and had not paid his Ukrainian coach, Vitaly Petrov a coaching fee of P4.8 million.
The allegations started when the letters from PATAFA addressed to Obiena leaked to various media outlets last November 21. It was stated that Obiena should return the money to PATAFA, and the funds for his training in Formia, Italy would be suspended until the issue was resolved. And the fire between the two ignited when Obiena released a press statement defending himself. After months of squabbling, Obiena was charged with a criminal case of estafa by PATAFA and was expelled from the national team, following an internal investigation that noted how he created a wedge between the national federation and his coach. Obiena denied all the allegations and provided the audit of payments to further prove his innocence. His camp also revealed
not Pets.
SPORTS | 25
the complete email exchanges between him and PATAFA in which he requested the federation to pay his coach and team staff directly for the past two years but the organization turned a blind eye about this. This issue in the late incident transpired to be prevalent already with Philippine sports. Mistreatment, harassment, and dismantling the athlete’s reputation became normal inside the national sports organization. Even the highly regarded officials treat them like pets who take the responsibility for their bidding. Other Filipino athletes also had a beef with the national federation and sports association. The 2016 Rio Olympics marathoner Mary Joy Tabal was also subjected to mudslinging, and boxer Eumir Marcial pleaded for support from the government. Also, Olympian superstar Hidilyn Diaz was forced to be muted while facing harassment and lack of support from the authorities. And let’s not
forget the Chess grandmaster Wesley So, who denounced his Filipino citizenship because of his complicated relationship with the federation. It is certain that athletes will most likely succeed when there are people supporting them genuinely excluding those authorities who only cherish their achievements after every competition. National officials must support, encourage, and provide them assistance, instead of adding hindrance in their path. Athletes are national gems who bring glory and fame to the country out of their passion, dedication, patriotism, and perseverance. If the national sports federation will not address its shabby treatment, Obiena will not be the last Filipino athlete who can speak up for his rights and fight for what he deserves. Every act of exclusion given to the most promising athletes corresponds to shutting the country’s dream of making a name in Olympic competitions. It was not a loss for Obiena, but a significant markdown for the Philippines.
Regional PRISAA susubukang idaos ngayong 2022; Greyhound student-athletes patuloy na makakatanggap ng scholarship BY KENN DANIEL MONTECILLO Matapos ang higit dalawang taong pagkakatigil ng Regional Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) bunsod ng COVID-19, susubukan idaos muli ang tanyag na kompetisyon ngayong 2022, ito ay ayon kay Coach Roel Rosales, UNC Sports Development Office (SDO) Director. Ayon kay Coach Rosales, balak ng National Board na simulan ang muling pagbubukas ng Regional PRISAA ngayong taon virtually at kasalukuyan ring pinag-aaralan nang maigi ang iba pang sports events na maaring ganapin. “Ayon sa National Board ng PRISAA, susubukan nitong umpisahan ang pagkakaroon ng paligsahan sa 2022 sa pamamagitan ng mga virtual platforms. Pinag-aaralan sa ngayon kung aling mga events ang posibleng ipatupad at kayang salihan ng nakararaming
member schools,” pagbabahagi ni Coach Rosales. Tiniyak din ni Coach Rosales na handa ang UNC Greyhound studentathletes dahil patuloy ang pag-eensayo ng mga ito mapa-virtual man o actual. Dagdag pa niya, mahigpit din na ipinapatupad ang mga standard health protocols sa pag-eensayo at pansamantala rin nilang ipinagpaliban ang trainings para sa mga may physical contact sports. Ayon kay Stephen King Sebello, UNC Badminton player, patuloy na umaarangkada ang kanilang pageensayo at tiniyak na handa silang magcompete anumang oras. “Preparation po namin regarding sa incoming PRISAA is practice weekends and maximizing yung mga free time po sa bahay to make some workouts po, and nag-papractice din kami sa trishot with the team during weekends. We are assuming kasi na anytime dapat ready kami for the incoming tournaments, and proud to say that we are ready for the incoming
tournaments,” salaysay ni Sebello. SCHOLARSHIP PARA SA STUDENT-ATHLETES PATULOY Sinigurado rin ni Coach Rosales na buo ang suporta ng UNC sa mga student-athletes, hindi man sila makapag-compete at mairepresenta ang unibersidad. “... yun din kasi ang worry nila na baka dahil walang games ay mawala na din ang support ng admin in the future. Although sa ngayon ay buo ang suporta,” paglilinaw ni Coach Rosales. Malaki rin ang pasasalamat ng mga student-athletes sa patuloy na suportang iginagawad sa kanila ng UNC, gaya na lamang kung paano sila sinusuportahan noong panahong lahat sila ay nakikipagpunyagi pa. “...very thankful kami sa UNC, na very considerate and never kami pinapabayaan ng sports department specially kay Coach Bing. Kahit na walang competition kami as of now yung support sa amin ay walang pinagkaiba sa
meron na competitions. We can say na super ganda ng system sa sports in UNC,” ani Sebello. TAEKWONDO, CHESS COMPETITIONS MALAKI ANG TYANSANG IDAOS
Ibinahagi rin ni Coach Bing na isa ang UNC sa mga sinangguni na hingian ng suhestiyon para sa mga events ngayong pandemya. Dulot ito ng magandang performance ng unibersidad sa mga nagdaang kompetisyon sa taekwondo, maging ang matagumpay na pagdaraos ng online chess competition. “Hinihingan ng mga suhestiyon ang iba pang regions kung meron na silang nasubukan na events ngayong pandemya. Lahat ng ito ay i-finalize ng National Board sa lalong madaling panahon. Isa ang UNC sa hiningan ng tulong dahil sa tagumpay nito sa mga dumaang competition tulad ng Taekwondo kung saan nanalo ang ating manlalaro ng maraming gold, silver at bronze sa international level. Gayon din sa Chess kun saan nakapag-host na tayo ng online competition at sumasali sa katulad na platform,” dagdag pa ni Coach Bing. Sa ngayon ay wala pang tiyak na sporting events na sasalihan ang UNC Greyhounds, ngunit malaki ang posibilidad na matuloy ang taekwondo, chess gayundin sa vocal Solo at duet, ayon kay Coach Rosales.
