The Philippines will play host to a first of its kind pole vault meet with the goal of attracting more similar events in the future.
EJ Obiena wants to showcase the Philippines’ world-class ability to host sporting events at a world class level as he brings the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge to the streets of Makati this coming September 20 and 21.
A first of its kind event in the country, the meet aims to bring the top pole vaulters in the world to compete in the event which will be sanctioned by World Athletics.
Championing the sport and track and field in general through his athletic prowess, and this time organizing an event, Obiena believes that holding this meet can open doors for the Philippines for more world class events in athletics.
“If I’m wearing a hat from an organizational standpoint, I think this is something that I really want to showcase of course the ability of the Philippines to host such an event. And that’s the main reason we’re aiming to get as much of the top athletes as possible because I want to showcase that Philippines as a country can host such events,” said Obiena.
“Hopefully this is just going to be a spark to get that engine going, and maybe get more international competitions in the country,” he added.
Of note that Obiena’s pole vault meet will be coinciding with another international sporting event — the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships — further bolstering the country’s reputation as a sports destination.
Obiena, who played an integral part in organizing the meet itself, said that the world’s best in the sport will be taking part in the competition, including himself, after they wrap things up in the World Championships.
[READ: EJ Obiena to invite Mondo Duplantis, others as Philippines hosts world-class pole vault competition]
“We’re inviting the top pole vaulters. The dates are strategically placed on the 20th and 21st, that’s gonna be after the world championships. So we can expect high ranking athletes,” Obiena said during the announcement press conference.
“We’re gonna announce it as soon as the competition days come. As of now, we’ll keep it [under wraps] and soon we’re gonna release it,” he added.
The world no. 4 pole vaulter fell short of confirming world record holder Mondo Duplantis’ participation, but he said as long as things go well, the Swede will be jumping on Philippine soil in a few months’ time.
“That’s the plan,” Obiena said.
Currently in the Top 10 of the men’s pole vault rankings with Obiena and Duplantis are Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis, USA’s Sam Kendricks, Australia’s Kurtis Marschall, Turkey’s Ersu Sasma, Netherlands’ Menno Vloon, USA’s Christopher Nilsen, Norway’s Sondre Guttormsen, and France’s Thibaut Collet.
Apart from bringing the best athletes, the two-time Olympian said that he also wants to bring the sport closer to the people with a pre-event on September 20.
While details are yet to be made public, the event will hopefully bring more interest to the people around pole vaulting.
“There’s gonna be a pre-event happening before the actual event on the 21st. It’s of course going to be related to pole vaulting and yeah, it’s gonna be fun,” he said.