PSC: Obiena, PATAFA must sign up for mediation

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association is open to a possible reconciliation with Filipino pole-vault star EJ Obiena, according to Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez.

“Cong. Rufus (Rodriguez), who chairs PATAFA, told me they are very amenable to a reconciliation,” said Ramirez during yesterday’s weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.

But Ramirez stressed the need for Obiena and PATAFA to sign the document that they are formally agreeing to mediation.

While both parties are willing, they have not signed anything yet, delaying the process aimed at resolving the mess.

Ramirez, however, said they’re not rushing things since Obiena might go under the knife to repair the small meniscus tear he suffered recently.

The PSC board isn’t thinking twice to lend a helping hand.

“We went beyond compass of the NSA (national sports association) to help EJ. The money is ready, we’re just waiting for his call,” said Ramirez.

The sports-funding agency is also processing the request of Obiena for incentives for breaking the national and Asian records last year.

The brewing issue stemmed from the accusation made by PATAFA that Obiena allegedly falsified liquidations concerning payments to his Ukrainian coach Vitaly Petrov.

Obiena had repeatedly denied it.

After more than a month of mud-slinging, Obiena, PATAFA and even Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino had relented in calling for a truce.

Officials are now hoping to see the light at the end of the tunnel.