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“A real patriot.”
This was how some Filipinos described world-ranked pole vaulter EJ Obiena after he introduced that he would be the nation’s flag-bearer for the opening ceremony of the thirty first Southeast Asian Video games subsequent month.
The 26-year-old athlete will carry the Philippine nationwide flag within the conventional parade of countries on Might 12 on the My Dinh Nationwide Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Obiena was nominated alongside Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz however the organizers mentioned that solely considered one of them can carry the flag within the regional showpiece.
“We nominated Hidilyn and EJ, however it was turned down,” Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino mentioned, including that they have been informed just one athlete may be the flag-bearer.
“Like Hidilyn, EJ has all of the {qualifications} to be our flag bearer,” he mentioned.
Obiena was additionally slated to hold the flag within the 2020 Tokyo Olympics however he wasn’t ready to take action because of his schedule.
At the moment, flag-bearers should be in Japan 48 hours earlier than the start of the occasion for COVID-19 protocols. Obiena’s flight was scheduled on the identical day.
In a Fb put up, Obiena mentioned he’s honored to hold the Philippine flag.
“It’s my delight and honor to be carrying our (Philippine emoji) flag within the opening ceremony of the upcoming SEA Video games in Hanoi. I want to take this chance to thank the sports activities governing our bodies of the Philippines for giving me a once-in-a-lifetime alternative,” Obiena mentioned on Monday.
“Thanks @officialpatafa on your blessing to do that; Thanks @olympic.ph on your nomination and thanks @phil.sportscommission on your assist,” he added, tagging the Philippine Athletics Monitor and Discipline Affiliation (PATAFA), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports activities Fee.
“I’m not simply representing athletes however over 100 million proud Filipinos. Maraming salamat po ate @hidilyndiaz for guiding me and enabling me to have this chance. I’m blessed to have such a humble function mannequin to look as much as. #roadtohanoi #parasabayan,” Obiena continued, tagging Diaz.
His put up has earned 6,000 reactions to date, with 3,600 of which love reactions and a pair of,300 likes.
Obiena will defend the SEA Video games gold medal he gained in 2019 by means of a record-breaking clearance of 5.45 meters.
Obiena’s put up was warmly obtained by his supporters who referred to as him a “true patriot” for selecting to characterize the Philippines regardless of beforehand figuring in a months-long rift with PATAFA over liquidation points.
The athlete was lately cleared by the Fee on Audit as effectively.
“Reward (and) thank God for (your) vindication, EJ. There’s no yet one more deserving than you! Your Ate Hidilyn Diaz is (the) epitome of our Lord, Jesus in John 5:13, ‘There isn’t any higher love than this: that an individual would lay down his life for the sake of his buddies.’ Proceed to convey honor (and) glory for the Philippines, EJ!” a supporter wrote within the Fb feedback.
“Deserve mo ‘yan,” one other Filipino commented on his put up.
“You deserve that, EJ. You’ve gotten introduced honor to the nation and but underwent a painful trial by publicity,” wrote a distinct Fb consumer.
“Nakaka-proud ka po. Isa kang tunay na bayani, EJ Obiena, sa henerasyong ito. Saludo talaga ako sa’yo. Ipinaglaban mo ang para sa’yo at sa bayan. Isa kang tunay na makabayan!” exclaimed one other Filipino with emojis.
“A real Filipino patriot… confirmed (and) examined… ‘di bumitaw sa watawat,” commented a distinct supporter.
Final January, Obiena vowed to proceed representing the Philippines amid PATAFA’s advice to drop him from the nationwide staff because of their funding row.
READ: ‘I combat for increased ideas’: EJ Obiena to proceed representing Philippines regardless of row
In November 2021, the athlete was accused of allegedly mishandling his funds when the Nationwide Sports activities Affiliation claimed that he missed out on paying his coach Vitaly Petrov regardless of the funds given to him as wage.
The difficulty brought on Obiena to overlook the World Indoor Championships due to PATAFA’s non-endorsement. His coach was additionally declared persona non grata by the POC for a while.
The dispute between the events was ultimately settled final March.
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