EJ Obiena to bring ‘world-class’ pole vault event to Philippines

Philippines’ EJ Obiena competes in the men’s pole vault final of the athletics event at the Paris Olympocs 2024 at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on August 5, 2024. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines may be treated to a “world-class pole vault event” courtesy of its top athlete EJ Obiena.

After an unfortunate ending in the Paris Olympics 2024’s men’s pole vault competition, Obiena delivered some good news for the Filipino fans, especially those who seemed to have developed a deeper interest in the the sport in recent days.

During an online press conference, Obiena revealed that he is working on bringing an international pole vault competition here in the Philippines sanctioned  by World Athletics, the world’s governing body.

“I would want to be able to bring an international competition. It is already registered and sanctioned by World Athletics. The idea is it’s going to happen on September 20. It’s going to be at the Ayala Triangle Gardens. Ayala is taking care of it,” said the World’s No.2-ranked pole vaulter.

“We have a European consultant to make sure that everything is up to standard. The stuff that we are using is the same as the surface here in Paris and Tokyo (Olympics).”

Pole vault has gained traction in recent years–and more so during the Olympics season–with the emergence of Obiena in the grandest stage.

While the Philippines’ bet ended up fourth in the men’s pole vault final, Filipinos stayed up to watch more action which included seeing Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis break the Olympic and World Record.

And now the Philippines may get that experience live next month.

But as of writing, there’s no final list yet but Obiena sure has some names in mind.

“I will try to get the Olympic finalists and have a really good competition in the Philippines. I think the country deserves that. I hope Oleg (Zernikel) will come, I think Emmanouil (Karalis) will come, (Huang) Bokai will come. So, we’ll see.”

“Hopefully, you guys will have a world-class competition in the Philippines.”