Tabal’s toughest race

Mary Joy Tabal. FILE Photo from Cebu Daily News

Olympian Mary Joy Tabal is facing the biggest battle of her career.

Her slot in the national team that will see action in the 29th Southeast Asian Games in August is hanging in the balance because of her differences with Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) officials, particularly with president Philip Ella Juico .

Tabal’s problem cropped up when she won the Scotiabank Ottawa half marathon in record time a couple of weeks ago and expressed her willingness to be included in the national team again.

But Juico said her reinclusion to the national team is easier said than done because she was dropped from the team after the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and therefore not qualified to represent the country to the biennial meet in Kuala Lumpur this year.

However, Tabal denied Juico’s claim.

Last week, Juico said Tabal quit the team and that he has in his possession tape recordings of their meeting.

The latest development is that Tabal will be reinstated by Patafa provided she signs a written letter committing herself to abide by the association’s rules and regulations.

Juico said the letter must be sent to Patafa on or before June 14 or a day before the deadline of submission of the final list of athletes for the KL meet.

Tabal must also train under a coach designated by the Patafa in one of the two association’s training camp in Manila or in Baguio City.

The Patafa chief is also demanding Tabal to withdraw her “baseless” complaint letter publicly.

In the past, Tabal insisted to train under a coach of her choice and a venue of her choice, which the Patafa head said are not within the universal code of conduct expected of elite athletes.