EJ Obiena moves one step closer to making his dreams a reality.
Filipino Olympian and pole vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena announced the upcoming launch of a pole vault facility in Laoag, where he will lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 22.
Obiena shared his aspirations of winning a medal for the Philippines and bringing pride to his country.
"I have an even bigger dream in valuting than medals. I believe this is an Olympic sport Filipinos can excel in. We can be globally competitive year after year," Obiena stated in an official statement on Monday.
"To achieve this, we need facilities around our far-ranging country," he added.
He highlighted the presence of talented and dedicated athletes in the country who are in need of a facility where they can hone their skills.
Obiena mentioned fellow pole vaulter Hokket delos Santos, who won a silver medal at the Southeast Asian Games, noting that without a proper facility, that achievement might not have been possible.
He further expressed that his vision of the Philippines becoming a global force in pole vaulting extends beyond his own career.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new pole vault facility is set for November 22 at 4:00 p.m., to be held at Marcos Stadium in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Luzon.
Following the ribbon-cutting, a coaching clinic and pole vault seminar will be held to launch a sustainable training program for the region.
Obiena expressed his hopes that the facility will inspire and develop future generations of athletes.
He also expressed his gratitude to the team and sponsors who played a key role in making his dream a reality.
"I am so excited for this and make the sport more accessible to our young Filipino talent! I hope to see everyone there!" Obiena said in closing.
