SENATOR and chair of the Senate Committee on Sports Christopher “Bong” Go congratulated pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena on his winning streak and recent placement in international competitions.

On September 2, Obiena stunned everyone by upsetting world champion Armand Duplantis and clearing 5.91 meters to capture the gold at the Brussels Diamond League in Belgium.

Over the preceding two weeks, Obiena also ruled the Internationales Stabhochsprung-Meeting, True Athletes Classics, and St. Wendel City Jump in Germany.

Most recently, on September 4, he secured the silver medal in the Internationales Stadionfest Berlin in Germany.

“I would like to congratulate EJ Obiena on his recent sporting triumphs and for bringing glory to the country,” said Go.

“Saludo po ang buong bansa sa iyong mga tagumpay,” he added.

Go had also congratulated Obiena in his record-breaking success at the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games in May this year. Obiena responded in a video message, expressing his gratitude to the senator for supporting Filipino athletes.

“Senator Bong Go, maraming salamat po sa inyong pagsuporta sa mga atleta. Thank you very much po. This is for the Philippines. It wouldn’t be possible without you po,” the national pole vaulter previously said.

Go responded by emphasizing that it is his duty as a senator, a sports advocate and a Filipino to support the country’s athletes in any way he can, saying, “Huwag kayong magpasalamat sa amin kasi ginagawa lang namin ang aming mga trabaho. Kami dapat ang magpasalamat dahil nabigyan kami ng pagkakataong makatulong gawing sports powerhouse ng Asya ulit ang Pilipinas.”

“Salamat sa iyo at sa lahat ng mga atleta natin sa inyong mga pagsisikap na mabigyan ng karangalan ang ating bansa. Ang inyong mga panalo ay nagbibigay ng pag-asa at inspirasyon sa ating mga kababayang patuloy na nilalampasan ang pandemya at iba pang mga hamon sa katatagan ng ating pagka-Pilipino,” Go added.

In the past, Go, as Chair of the Senate Sports Committee, helped resolve the conflict between Obiena and the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association by urging the Philippine Sports Commission to expedite the mediation proceedings. The senator stressed the importance of Filipino solidarity and unwavering support, especially in sports where the honor and glory of the nation are at stake.

“Sa panahong karangalan ng ating bansa ang nakasalalay, pinakamahalaga ay ang pagkakaisa natin at buong suporta ng sambayanang Pilipino upang muling maiwagayway ang bandila ng Pilipinas sa mga pandaigdigang kompetisyon,” Go previously stressed.

A staunch advocate of sports development in the country, Go authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports in 2020.

The said law is in line with Go’s vision of providing a dedicated learning facility where promising young athletes can further hone their talents while getting quality education. The NAS Main Campus is located at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac.

As one of his priority measures in the 19th Congress, Go also filed Senate Bill No. 423, or the proposed Philippine National Games Act of 2022, to provide a structure for a more comprehensive national sports program, linking grassroots sports promotion to national sports development.