EJ Obiena hopes PH strengthens grassroots sports programs

MANILA – As Filipino athletes continue to shine on the international stage, their achievements can inspire the next generation, provided the country builds an environment where young athletes can develop their skills, according to EJ Obiena.

The two-time Olympian has cemented his status as Asia’s best after defending his men’s pole vault gold medal at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.  

Obiena won the gold in record-breaking fashion, leaping to 5.91m to set a new Games record and tie his 2026 season best clearance.

His fellow Olympian, double gold medalist Carlos Yulo, put up a golden performance at the continental showcase, winning two gold medals in the floor exercise and vault.

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala clinched an Asiad bronze in women’s singles, continuing to make her mark on the international stage.

“I think we got to go to the core idea of sports and what sport is for the country. We want to see our people compete and win. And I think that’s why Alex has done a fantastic job. That’s why Filipinos love her. Not because she just wins, she’s one of them that wins,” Obiena told ABS-CBN News.  

“And that’s truly inspirational, having goosebumps, truly, because that’s the power sport. It influences, it unifies the nation,” he added.

While the country celebrates the success of its athletes, Obiena said the country needs to capitalize on this momentum by providing greater accessibility and strengthening its grassroots programs.

“With that said, you know, we need more talent locally. If statistics would show, people have won continental medals, especially who have won set records, have won multiple times for us, like Ate Haidie [Hidilyn Diaz]. These are all Filipinos, pure. Like I’m not talking about people based abroad. No offense to them. I’m just saying it’s just a statistics,” Obiena said.

Obiena believes the challenge lies in providing aspiring local athletes the resources, infrastructure and expertise needed for them to succeed.

The 30-year-old pointed to the different pathways that helped Filipino athletes reach the highest levels of competition. He cited fellow Olympian and double gold medalist Yulo, who developed his gymnastics skills in Manila before being guided by a Japanese coach.

“We’re not lacking the raw skill. We just need the knowledge. We need the coaching. We need the accessibility. We need to make sure it’s as easy as it is for someone, a kid who wants to do pole vault to actually pole vault. So I hope in the future we’ll have more,” he explained.

Obiena hopes their success could help spark a chain reaction, encouraging more young Filipinos to take up sports and increasing the country’s chances of producing future Olympic and world-class medalists.

“And the only way we could do that is really ride this momentum that each of these magnificent, impeccable, amazing athletes are inspiring the next generation. These next generation of kids who are inspired by hopefully this generation as well becomes, you know, it’s like a snowball effect,” he said.

“There’s more talent. There’s more probability, higher probability of getting another Carlos Yulo, Hidilyn Diaz and other hopefully prominent athletes,” Obiena added.