OLYMPIAN EJ Obiena has been formally reinstated to the national team after the Philippine Athletic Track and Field Association (Patafa) endorsed his re-inclusion along with five other athletes to the Philippine Sports Commission.
The reinstatement became a formality after majority of Patafa board members voted the world-class pole vaulter in during a special board meeting held last August 13.
[See Obiena climbs to No. 3 in world rankings]
Obiena, a bronze medalist at the last world championships, current Asian record-holder and SEA Games champion, was dropped from the pool in the wake of a dispute with Patafa over alleged non-payment on his coach's salary.
The controversy dragged on for months until a reconciliation brokered by former PSC chairman Butch Ramirez led to the reinstatement as confirmed by Patafa executive vice-president Willie Torres, as instructed by new president Terry Capistrano.
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