The Philippines is finally getting a sports facility dedicated to pole vaulting, thanks to the efforts of EJ Obiena. The pole vault star was ecstatic to announce that a new facility is being launched soon just for Filipino pole vault athletes. Here’s everything we know so far:

EJ Obiena’s dream come true

More than bringing home an Olympic medal, EJ Obiena has been dreaming of seeing more fellow Filipino athletes excel in pole vault.

“To be honest I have an even bigger dream in vaulting than medals. I believe this is an Olympic sport Filipinos can excel in. We can be globally competitive year after year,” he wrote on an Instagram post.

However, he also understood that this dream of his required facilities that can support the Philippines’ growing talents, like Isabela’s Hokket delos Santos, who bagged a silver medal in the Southeast Asia Games at only 20 years old.

“My dream is, the Philippines being a global force in pole vault doesn’t end with me. It continues on for generations to follow.”

To make this happen, EJ Obiena made efforts to raise funds and partner with establishments and organizations who believed in him and his dream.

And now, he just announced that his “dream now begins to become a reality.”

The pole-vault facility

According to EJ Obiena, the first facility dedicated to pole-vaulting will be launching soon, starting with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, November 22, 4 PM at the Marcos Stadium, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

The pole vault star also added that this is “the first of many new facilities I am to build for our children and our future in the sport.”

He thanked several partners in making his dream a reality, namely: Puma, LeGarde, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitals, Visa, Ayala Malls, Porsche Design, Allianz, Milo, Summit, Rebisco, Puregold, and of course, his team and his supporters.

He also expressed gratitude for the people who participated in an auction in 2023 to buy PUMAxEJ shirts, the proceeds of which were donated to this facility.

The athlete encourages anyone interested to attend, as the launch event is open to the public.

Aside from the ribbon-cutting ceremony, there will be a coaching clinic and a pole vault seminar to “kickstart and create a sustainable program for the region.”

EJ Obiena will be returning to the country for the launch of this new facility.

“I am so excited for this and [to] make the sport more accessible to our young Filipino talent! I hope to see everyone there!” he ended.

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