Filipino teenage athlete Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, who holds the national juniors’ and men’s record in pole vaulting, appeals for additional funding so he can qualify for the World Juniors Championship in Oregon this July.
In an interview on ABS-CBN Sports+Action’s “The Score,” Obiena said he qualified for a 90-day scholarship for his overseas training program in Formia, Italy after clearing 5 meters in the pole vault.
The scholarship, however, does not include the travel and accommodation expenses of father, who serves as his coach.
The 18-year-old pole vaulter sought online help through “Make a Champ,” which helps raise funds for deserving athletes. He hopes to raise $7,300 to cover the 90-day of stay in Formia under Vitaly Petrov, the coach of world record holder Sergey Bubka
