By Michelle Ducut
Filipino Olympian Ernest John “EJ” Obiena and Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc inaugurated Ilocos Norte’s first pole vaulting facility on November 22 at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium, marking a milestone in advancing the sport in the province.
Obiena, currently ranked 3rd in the 2024 World Athletics Rankings for men’s pole vault, aims to inspire young athletes and develop pole vaulting talent across the country. He finished 4th in the 2024 Paris Olympics and was the first Asian to clear the six-meter mark at the 2023 Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway.
The new facility will support grassroots sports development programs spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN). It provides local athletes with access to training and competition opportunities while reinforcing PGIN’s commitment to sports excellence.
During the launch, Obiena emphasized the facility’s role in shaping future champions. “The main reason for this is development and really to make sure we gain global success in the sport. Hopefully, we’ll get athletes from Ilocos to represent the country with pride and honor,” he said.
Governor Manotoc expressed support for Obiena’s vision of nurturing future pole vaulting champions. “The goal, the wish, and the dream of EJ that I share with him is to hopefully see a future pole-vaulting champion from Ilocos Norte. 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,” Manotoc stated.
The provincial government continues to expand its sports programs and facilities, positioning Ilocos Norte as a premier sports hub in Northern Luzon. It will host major events like the Palarong Pambansa 2025, providing young athletes with platforms to showcase and refine their talents.