Ni NOEL ABUEL
Dapat nang magbitiw sa tungkulin si Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Phillip Ella Juico at hayaang mga professional managers ang mamuno dito.
“It is high time that PATAFA President Juico consider relinquishing his position to younger and more professional managers who can steer Philippine athletics towards the right direction,” ayon kay Abra Rep. JB Bernos.
Tugon ito ng kongresista sa ginawang desisyon ng PATAFA na tanggalin sa Philippine national team si Olympic athlete EJ Obiena na umani ng maraming batikos.
Paliwanag ni Bernos, ang national sports association for athletics ay dapat na pinatatakbo ng isang mahusay at competent managers na may puso para sa mga atleta at may kakayahang makahanap ng suporta para sa mga ito.
“Once upon a time, our athletics scene is teeming with talents that got gold medals in prestigious events and respectable podium finishes in international competitions,” sabi ni Bernos, chairman ng House Committee on Games and Amusements.
“Now, we are lagging behind other countries who have produced world-class talents,” dagdag pa nito na nasabing si Obiean ang tanging Filipino pole vaulterna may hawak ng Asian record sa athletics nang magwagian nito sa pamamagitan ng 5.93 meters na pagtalon nito sa Golden Rooftop Challenge sa Innsbruck, Austria noong nakaraang buwan ng Setyembre.
“We cannot let the potential of EJ Obiena, the bright future of Philippine athletics, be wasted if we let this treatment of a national athlete slide. Many are just waiting by the wings for their time to put forward their progressive plans for the Philippine athletics,” paliwanag pa nito.
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