The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) on Tuesday mentioned it should order its ethics committee to conduct an investigation into the problem involving pole vault ace EJ Obiena and his federation, the Philippine Athletics Monitor and Area Affiliation (PATAFA).
POC chief Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino cited the “hands-off” stance of the Philippine Sports activities Fee on the matter, saying the POC will take a unique strategy and can carry out its personal probe.
PSC earlier mentioned it should solely intervene ‘when applicable’.
“For the reason that PSC is the supply of funds, it may have simply—below its mandate—intervened and corrected the identical from the very starting,” Tolentino mentioned in a press release.
“?However we within the POC might be steadfast and for the sake of Olympism and impartiality, will go into the small print and examine the matter.”
Tolentino, additionally the biking chief, mentioned POC’s ethics committee might be tasked to conduct the investigation as he rued the rising rift between the 26-year-old Obiena and the nationwide sports activities affiliation.
Tolentino mentioned Obiena’s declaration of doable retirement at this stage of his budding profession can be an awesome loss for Philippine sports activities.
“We’re in deepest remorse to understand that considered one of our Olympians, multi-medalist and nice inspiration Ernest John Obiena of athletics, to be concerned on this squabble along with his house federation,” Tolentino added.
“I’m very disillusioned. They may have dealt with the state of affairs internally absent of any misfires from each events. A bountiful profession is now in peril.”
Obiena on Sunday was reportedly being requested to return 85,000 Euros or over P4 million value of monetary help as a consequence of PATAFA’s claims of falsified liquidation and failure of fee to his Ukrainian coach Vitaliy Petrov.
Obiena denied the allegations in a press convention the identical day.
—JMB, GMA Information
