Lessons from EJ Obiena
“He’s not the biggest, the fastest or the smartest. So how does the lion become the king of the jungle? His mentality.” – Ray Lewis
EJ Obiena has managed to take his difficulties in stride. The worldclass pole vaulter registered another triumph, a season-best vault of 5.81 meters at the Orlen Cup in Lodz, Poland. This accomplishment comes mere weeks after a knee surgery.
“As I observe the best in athletics, a key element of being a true champion is managing adversity,” said Obiena of his latest experience in a social media post. “We all have adversity. We will never enjoy an adversity-free existence. Whether it is worrying about our jobs, money, our loved ones, adversity is a part of life. I have my share of adversity as everyone knows. But so does everyone else. The name of the game is to keep showing up and keep trying. As to my current adversity, I leave it with God and my country.”
With that leap, Obiena not only registered a season’s best, but also qualified for the World Indoor Championships and the World Championships. In July of last year, EJ broke the Philippine record for the second time. In September, he rewrote the Asian record. In January, he was expelled from the national team by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA). Ironically, the Philippine Sports Commission, which disbursed the funds which Obiena stands accused of misusing, has not claimed anything of the sort, and has instead tried urgently to settle the dispute between athlete and federation.
Obiena has demonstrated that it is possible to overcome even challenges posed by institutions that we respect. While PATAFA kept hurling accusations and rallying support against him, he stuck to the issue, objectively presented his side, and fought only for fair treatment and a restored reputation. Other athletes have not been so fortunate as to continue their success after such encounters. Almost a decade ago, ice skater Melissa Bulanhagui, for example, was removed from the Philippine team and even her coaching of the junior team, despite being the reigning two-time national champion. Her offense? She complained when her junior counterpart was sent to an Olympic qualifier in Europe instead of her. The former top 10 US junior skater gave up her Olympic dream. Other athletes like Wesley So and Michael Novales sought better lives overseas.
Obiena is setting a lonely example for other athletes. The power of a national sports association is not absolute. There are ways to continue pursuing one’s passion and drive for excellence. Fortunately, he competes in individual events overseas, and cannot be prevented from doing so by merely stripping him of his membership on a national team. EJ continues to get better, with his support team still behind him, and with the Philippine Olympic Committee’s promise of continued backing. Besides, does PATAFA have a suitable replacement for Obiena? Does anyone even come close?
He’s not the only athlete who is not happy with his federation. Most keep quiet because they have nowhere else to go. The madness will not stop, not as long as sports officials treat athletes like chattel, like mindless beasts who should unquestioningly follow orders even when it doesn’t make sense to do so. Shaming athletes is wrong, and is more of a reflection on the character of the one attempting the shaming. Granted, there are those who feel that Obiena should toe the line, but again, if the PSC accuses him of nothing, what is his crime? Can you imagine if all the other oppressed athletes spoke out, as well? If that ever happens, then perhaps true reform could begin.