FERNANDEZ KUMPIYANSA SA VIETNAM SEAG

IKINATUWA ni Chef de Mission Ramon Fernandez ang ulat na sa wakas ay naayos na ang gusot sa pagitan ni  world No. 5 pole-vaulter EJ Obiena at ng  Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa).

“For me that’s a positive thing that happened,” sabi ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) board member, mahigit isang buwan na lamang bago ang 31st Southeast Asian Games sa Vietnam.

Si Fernandez ay naatasang pangasiwaan ang mga paghahanda at aktuwal na paglahok ng Team Philippines sa Vietnam, kung saan idedepensa ng Pinoy athletes ang   overall crown.

Aniya, ang anumang internal dispute na kinasasangkutan ng mga atleta at national sports associations (NSAs) ang huling dapat mangyari bago ang kanilang pagsabak sa biennial meet sa May 12-23.

“It will have an overall effect. EJ Obiena and PATAFA finally mending their fences is positive (news) for our athletes. We should learn lessons from that incident,” sabi ni Fernandez sa online Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.

“At least nakita nila (athletes) that if may problema, puwede namang mag-mediate ang PSC,” ani Fernandez kasunod ng matagumpay na  mediation process na pinamunuan ni PSC chairman Butch Ramirez sa kaso ni Obiena na tumagal ng limang buwan.

“Makakatulong. Boost talaga,” wika ni Fernandez sa forum na itinataguyod ng San Miguel Corporation (SMC), MILO, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Unilever, Amelie Hotel Manila, at ng Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Ayon kay Fernandez, ang 987-strong Philippine delegation sa Vietnam ay kabibilangan ng 646 athletes at 296 team officials na popondohan ng PSC, at  45 NOC (National Olympic Committee) delegates.

Nakopo ng Pilipinas ang overall title bilang host noong 2019 sa pagwawagi ng 149 gold, 117 silver at 121 bronze medals. Subalit malaking bahagi ng events na pinagwagian ng Filipino athletes, dalawang taon na ang nakalilipas, ay inalis ngayong taon, kabilang ang arnis (14) at  obstacle racing (6).

“I’m relying on our podium finishers in 2019. Most of them are playing. And I’m hoping that all of them will retain their titles. I’m also hoping that those who won silver and bronze medals will improve,” dagdag ni Fernandez.