EJ OBIENA shared that the international pole vault event in the Philippines that he is spearheading has been postponed, but will hold a meet-and-greet event instead on September 15 at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay Activity Center.
Obiena said he and the organizing group decided to postpone the event sanctioned by World Athletics after he sustained a fracture in his spine that forced him to call off the remainder of the 2024 season.
The event called the Philippine International Pole Vault Challenge was supposed to be held on September 20 at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City.
In lieu of the competition, Obiena said he will stage a meet-and-greet event where a pole vault exhibition and a panel discussion will take place with fellow world-class athletes which he has yet to disclose.
"The World Athletics sanctioned Pole Vault Competition, which was scheduled for September 20 at Ayala Triangle in Makati City, will be postponed until next year. Details will be announced separately. I am truly sorry for this. I and the organizing team worked tirelessly to make this happen," said Obiena in his Facebook page.
"Unfortunately, we encountered a few unexpected hurdles, including my fractured vertebrae. The organizing team believes that we won’t be able to adequately deliver the competition to its full potential. I respect their view and expertise as we all want a world class event; thus, we are forced to postpone and plan again," he added.
With him deciding to skip his remaining meets, Obiena said he is now back in the Philippines, which opened up the possibility to organize an event for his supporters.
The meet-and-greet called High Flying Hangout is set at 10 a.m.
"I am finally back home, and to show my appreciation to all of you, we will have a meet and greet event which will include the following: (1) an exhibition showcasing my event, pole vault, (2) a number of world-class athletes (so not just me) in a panel discussion, (3) plenty of fun activities, unique programs, and get together," said Obiena.
Obiena is back again in Manila after he took part in the activities to celebrate the success of Team Philippines in the 2024 Paris Olympics where Carlos Yulo captured two gold medals and Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas nabbing bronzes.
The Filipino pole vaulter narrowly missed a bronze in the Olympics, placing fourth behind Emmanouil Karalis of Greece.
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