NAKATAKDANG dalhin ni Ernest John ‘EJ’ Obiena ang kanyang world-class pole vaulting colleagues sa Pilipinas sa isang invitational competition sa 2023.
Kabilang dito sina world No. 2 Chris Nilsen, Rio 2016 Olympics gold medalist Thiago Braz at world and Olympic champion at world record holder Armand Duplantis.
Ang lahat ng tatlong ito, kasama ang iba pa, ay magpapakitang-gilas sa kanilang high-flying acts na mapapanood nang live ng Filipino fans sa unang pagkakataon.
“The objective is to bring them here after the outdoor season’s over,” pahayag ni Obiena kay Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino sa isa kanilang mga pag-uusap magmula nang dumating ang world championships bronze medalist para magbakasyon kasama ang kanyang girlfriend, si German long jumper Caroline Joyeaux, noong nakaraang linggo.
Agad itong sinang-ayunan ni Tolentino at ipinag-utos ang paghahanap ng venue.
“The Picnic Grove here could be an ideal venue,” sabi ni Tolentino, patungkol sa paboritong puntahan ng local at foreign tourists sa Tagaytay City.
Ang setup, ayon kay Obiena, ay magiging kapareho sa Europe— isang street venue kung saan ang runway, box, crossbars at landing area ay pawang portable o collapsible.
“With the Taal Volcano as backdrop, what more could you ask for—a world-class pole vault action in one of the most picturesque tourist attractions in the country,” ani Tolentino. “Every jump will be postcard-perfect.”
Ang European outdoor season ay magtatapos sa early September at idaraos din ang Asian Games sa Huangzhou sa kaparehong buwan sa susunod na taon, tinitingnan nina Obiena at Tolentino ang late September o early mid-October bilang potential date.
“The event will be a spectator-friendly event, and it’s planned that it be sanctioned [by World Athletics],” sabi ni Obiena.
Ayon kay Tolentino, ang turismo ang magiging panalo sa event.
“It’s great for tourism and the Philippines will be in the international pole vaulting map,” ani Tolentino. “It’s very doable despite next year’s busy schedule. It’s going to be a big event so we have to plan this carefully.”
