EJ Obiena reinstated to national team

EJ Obiena is now part of the national team again. Reuters (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--EJ Obiena is officially back with the Philippine athletics team.

The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association has formally endorsed the world's number three pole vaulter for reinstatement to the national team.

The Philippine Sports Commission confirmed on Wednesday that PATAFA made the reinstatement request after most of the board members at the athletics body's special board meeting on Saturday approved Obiena's return to the Philippine team.

PATAFA executive vice president Willie Torres represented the organization in a meeting with the PSC endorsing Obiena's reinstatement along with six undisclosed tracksters.

According to PSC executive director Guillermo Iroy, Obiena's reinstatement takes effect this month even as it will align with the existing team quota of athletics.

PSC commissioner Bong Coo, now acting as the agency's officer-in-charge, is elated with the reinstatement, saying, “We are thankful to the PATAFA leadership for taking this step to solidify the strength of our national athletics team.”

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