INSPIRING the next generation of Filipino athletes to come out, compete and be at their best at the world is the mission and vision of Filipino pole vault star Ernest John ‘EJ’ Obiena.
The 28-year-old Obiena talked about his aspirations when he renewed his partnership with MILO as its brand ambassador on Tuesday afternoon.
“There’s the next generation. We shouldn’t wait for them until I can barely do it. We should start now,” said Obiena after he signed a contract extension with MILO Sports Executive Carlo Sampan at Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites.
Obiena is set to embark on a series of clinics with the help of MILO, following talks with Sampan over the past year.
So far, there’s one athlete, who is following Obiena’s footsteps, and that’s Hokett delos Santos, who earned a silver medal in the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam. Obiena considers him a next-generation athlete.
“It’s high time. Not just for my sport, but for all sports,” added Obiena.
The pole vault superstar believes that interest from the Filipino youth in sports has picked up after the Paris Olympics, where the Philippines earned its best finish of two golds and two bronze medals.
With not enough facilities to go by, Obiena said the clinics that he is planning will go on as scheduled, with sponsors helping get the right equipment ready.
Two weeks ago, Obiena has taken a break and stopped competing for the rest of the 2024 season because of recurring pain.
Obiena did this after competing and settling for fifth place in the Silesia Diamond League on Sunday at the Stadion Śląski in Poland.
That was when his back began bother hurting again.
Twelve days before he competed in the Paris Olympics Obiena consulted his doctor in Italy, and an MRI scan revealed what appeared to be a stress fracture in his spine.
Obiena flies back to Europe on Sept. 22 and will soon prepare for the 2025 indoor season.
