PATAFA aims for more slots

PATAFA aims for more slots

MANILA, Philippines — World No. 2 pole vaulter EJ Obiena won’t be the only Philippine representative from athletics in this year’s Paris Olympics as at least one female will be added to the cast under the universality rule. Outgoing PATAFA secretary-general Edward Kho said yesterday several competitions are set before the end of the qualifying period on June 30 with 110m hurdler John Cabang, long jumper Janry Ubas, 400m runner Lauren Hoffman and 400m hurdler Robyn Brown expected to make a dash for Olympic tickets.

If PATAFA qualifies another male, it will still keep a universality slot open for a female. “As EJ has already qualified, we’re assured of another slot for a female athlete,” said Kho. “The four athletes with a chance to qualify in order of World Athletics ranking are No. 20 Janry, No. 29 John, No. 31 Lauren and No. 34 Robyn. For universality, there’s no need to hit Olympic standards. It is, in a way, a token slot.”

Kho explained the three ways to make it to the Olympics. “First, hit the very steep Olympic qualifying standard of a particular event,” he said. “Second, make enough world ranking points that you end up within the quota number of participants for the particular event and third, the universality rule.” Kho said the first qualifying competition of the year is the World Indoor Meeting in Astana on Jan. 27. Cabang is slated to compete in 60m hurdles. Then, there’s the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Tehran on Feb. 17-19 with Ubas and Cabang vying.

Kho said PATAFA is awaiting confirmation from World Athletics if the men’s 4x400m relay team will join the Penn Relays in Philadelphia to qualify for the World Athletics Relays in Nassau, Bahamas, on May 4-5. The Asian Relays are scheduled on May 20-21 in Bangkok. The Philippine men’s 4×400 relay team of Mico del Prado, Frederick Ramirez, Joyme Sequita and Umajesty Williams took the gold at the Cambodia SEA Games last May. Kho added that the National Open on May 7-11 is also an Olympic qualifier. Kho is leaving PATAFA to focus on his faculty work at the UP College of Human Kinetics and Jasper Tanhueco takes over in a full-time capacity.