Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

News

Petrov denies PATAFA claims as Obiena to pursue legal action


EJ Obiena and his coach Vitaly Petrov denied the allegations of the Philippine Track and Field Association (PATAFA) that the camp falsified documents and provided evidence to the contrary in a virtual presser on Sunday.

In a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, PATAFA told Obiena to return the financial assistance they have given the latter, amounting to € 85,000 (P4,844,829.65). They claimed Obiena “falsified the liquidations submitted.”

In a letter addressed to Obiena, the federation claimed that “based on the written statements of Mr. Sergey Bubka and Mr. Vitaly Petrov, including the documents you have submitted to the Patafa, it appears that you falsified the liquidations submitted to the Patafa and failed to pay the coaching fees of Mr. Vitaly Petrov in the total amount of Eighty-Five Thousand Euros (€85,000).”

However, on Sunday, Petrov himself denied the claims.

“I have been paid in full. I have no problem with EJ Obiena.”

For his part, Obiena acknowledged and said that he had received the letters from PATAFA. And he also showed the members of the media a copy of a letter of Petrov to the NSA, particularly its president, Philip Juico, regarding the matter.

The letter said, “I [Petrov] am glad that we had the conversation between you [Juico], me, and Sergey [Bubka] and finally made contact with each other. Of course, we must do it at the very beginning and maybe we shall not have such [an] incident.”

Petrov reiterated in the letter his gratitude to PATAFA for the financial help and confirmed that Obiena has indeed paid him the “full sum beginning 2018 till now.” He also noted that Obiena is a great athlete, and he intends to coach him and train him for another possible stint in the Olympics in Paris in 2024.

#ReadMore  Pocari Sweat gives back to the fans

The letter also included attachments that proves such payments took place.

Obiena also revealed that they are starting the legal process of filing a case to the Philippine Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Committee, and the World Athletics, against PATAFA for such allegations.

Despite the accusations, Obiena still would not take it against Filipinos in general.

“I don’t take this as a betrayal of my country. I love my country.”

Grew to appreciate various sports from tennis to judo. True-maroon kiddo since the new millennium. Fanboy. Singer. Occasional sports writer.


You May Also Like

2024 Summer Olympics

In a momentous recognition of athletic excellence, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has announced an additional P20 million reward for Carlos Yulo, following the...

2024 Summer Olympics

The Philippines could witness a world-class pole vaulting event this September, spearheaded by none other than the nation’s pole vaulting prodigy EJ Obiena. Fresh...

2024 Summer Olympics

As Mondo Duplantis attempted to break his own world record to cap the pole vault event at the 2024 Olympic Games Paris, EJ Obiena...

2024 Summer Olympics

EJ Obiena fell just short of clinching the Philippines’ first Olympic medal in athletics in 88 years, securing a commendable fourth-place finish in the...

2024 Summer Olympics

EJ Obiena was reliving his Tokyo nightmare in front of the world in Paris on Saturday afternoon (Manila time). Just three years ago, Obiena...

2024 Summer Olympics

By: Ernest Tuazon The hunt for the Philippines’ first Olympics athletics medal in 88 years continues for EJ Obiena. The world’s second-best pole vaulter...

2024 Summer Olympics

Twenty-two brave souls competing in nine sports will be carrying the Philippine flag at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will run from July 26...

2024 Summer Olympics

All eyes are on Paris as the world’s best athletes compete for gold and glory in the much-anticipated Olympic Games Paris 2024, happening from...

Advertisement