Expect Ernest John “EJ” Obiena to bring in new poles and additional manpower support when he prepares for the Paris Olympics in the coming months.
The 27-year-old Obiena will have all his needs addressed after support for his campaign in the coming Paris games picked up on Friday.
Alumni from Chiang Kai Shek College, the school where he attended high school, together with generous businessmen, pledged a total of P10 million to support his preparation for the quadrennial meet next year.
“Now, I can bring a little more luggage, will be able to travel with a whole team. These are the things that will help me, moving forward,” said Obiena when he dropped by at the CKSC main campus on Friday.
Financial assistance poured in for Obiena when he met businessmen and school officials.ejnobienaobiena
Obiena’s visit came days after he delivered the first gold medal of the Philippines in the 19th Asian Games at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China last Saturday.
“The warm welcome is enough for today, having given enough support to continue training and prepare for the Olympics,” said Obiena, who will leave for Formia, Italy on Oct. 15.
Obiena, the world no. 2 pole vaulter, grabbed the gold in the Asiad after jumping to a meet record of 5.75, which he reset to 5.9 meters, ending the country’s 29-year medal and 37-year gold drought in athletics.
“We are prepared to support him for his training and participation for the Paris Olympics in 10 months’ time. We had a fund-raising for him. It’s voluntary, and anyone who would like to support him can do so, voluntarily,” said Johnson Tan, member of the CKSC board of trustees.
Members of the alumni initially pledged P5 million for Obiena, and then he got an additional P3 million in funding from the Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Oishi snack food products’ owner Carlos Chan then offered P1 million, and so did Kuan Chou family association head Anson Tan, who then promised another P1 million.
In total, Obiena could get P13 million, with P2 million more coming for the government, and P1 million from the Philippine Olympic Committee.