EJ Obiena-led elite pole vault meet finally happening on September 21 in Makati

EJ Obiena is finally staging an elite pole vault event at home as he hosts the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge on September 21 at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati. 

The competition is expected to see top pole vaulters across the globe — including Obiena himself — duke it out for ranking points as it will be an official event in the World Athletics calendar.

"We're inviting, of course, the top pole vaulters. The dates are strategically placed on the 21st, that's gonna be after the world championship so we could expect high-ranking athletes," Obiena said in an online press conference with Philippine media.

"We're gonna announce it as soon as the competition dates come. As of now, we'll keep it first."

Last year, world no. 4 Obiena was also supposed to host an event in the same venue but opted to pull the plug after deciding to focus on his recovery for a back injury he sustained. 

But he ensured that his dream of bringing an elite pole vault event to the country will finally become a reality this year.

And although nothing has been cast in stone yet, Obiena's camp revealed that world no. 1 Mondo Duplantis and other top pole vaulters in the world are interested in flying to Manila to participate in the event. 

"I've always wanted to bring this since the day I've competed in Europe, when I've seen how the event kind of relates to the people in the city, the people in the crowd," Obiena added.

"I've been talking to a lot of stakeholders and I'm very blessed that it's finally happening. It's a long time coming."

—JMB, GMA Integrated News