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Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, November 24, 2024, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1732532279730IMG_5730.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, November 24, 2024, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, November 24, 2024, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. <em>Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.</em></span></span></span>MANILA — EJ Obiena has done another groundbreaking feat in his pole vaulting career that can help elevate the sport in the Philippines further.</div><p>The two-time Olympian opened a new pole vault facility in Ilocos Norte as Obiena himself looks to jumpstart the support for the sport’s promotion and grassroots development.</p><p>“The main reason for this is for development and really to make sure we gain global success in the sport,” said Obiena, who was with Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc during the facility&#x27;s opening at the FEM Memorial Stadium last November 22.</p><p>“This is basically my way of doing it, kickstarting it, and hopefully I teach you guys how to fish medals, not just in Palarong Pambansa and Southeast Asian Games but globally. Hopefully, we’ll get athletes from Ilocos to represent the country with pride and honor.”</p><p>“This is only the beginning. Mark my words, I am devoted to this. I really want to see the sport grow,” added the 2024 Paris Olympic Games fourth-placer.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/9/10/ej-obiena-seeks-grassroots-support-for-ph-to-produce-next-pole-vault-star-1838">READ: EJ Obiena seeks grassroots support for PH to produce next pole vault star</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/9/16/as-his-son-rises-emerson-obiena-keeps-an-eye-on-pole-vaults-future-1421">READ: As his son rises, Emerson Obiena keeps an eye on pole vault&#x27;s future</a></div><p>Meanwhile, Manotoc said that this initiative is also among the projects of their provincial government to provide a competitive stage for athletes in the province to showcase and develop their talents.</p><p>“Ang goal, ang wish, and ang dream po ni EJ that I share with him is to hopefully see a future pole-vaulting champion from Ilocos Norte,” he said. “May we all commit to that goal, and of course we fully support EJ in this initiative.”</p><p>“Let it be known, especially for certain days and times, we will allow kids of Ilocos Norte to access the facilities of our stadium for free, to make sure that they have every opportunity possible.”</p><p>This is also a part of their vision to strengthen Ilocos Norte’s sports programs, especially in preparation for their hosting of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4pqeqk15gPo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>EJ Obiena has done another groundbreaking feat in his pole vaulting career that can help elevate the sport in the Philippines further.</p>

EJ Obiena has done another groundbreaking feat in his pole vaulting career that can help elevate the sport in the Philippines further.

'This is only the beginning,' says EJ Obiena after opening pole vault facility

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'This is only the beginning,' says EJ Obiena after opening pole vault facility

ABS-CBN News

Published November 25, 2024 07:11 PM PHT

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