The government granted financial assistance to Obiena and his team is expected to last until last month, August.

The 25-year-old Obiena still had competitions in September which implies that the team shouldered the expenses to support him.

However, Obiena said that the team can no longer continue, and ‘cut the season short’ due to the lack of funds.

“I needed to cut the season short as my budget is only until August,” said Obiena. 

“The meets after August were shouldered by myself and my team. Berlin (where he placed fourth) was the last one for me this season.”

Fifth world rank Obiena, delivered a sensational performance as he cleared 5.93 meters in the 17th Golden Rooftop Challenge in Innsbruck, bagging the gold medal and smashing the Asian history.

In order to recognize the contribution of Obiena in representing the country, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is expected to reward him a sum of P1.5 million.

But the PSC is still waiting for certification from the Asian Athletics Association to give the reward to Obiena. 

“It’s taking some time because it has to go through a process, but it’s just mere formality,” said Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association marketing and communications director Edward Kho.

Even if this is the case, the said reward does not still cover training expenses nor will be allotted for competition costs.

Meanwhile, as Ej returned to Italy, his coach and father Emerson shared that Ej will surpass his record in ‘a matter of time’.

“It’s only a matter of time before he makes six meters, that’s from what we saw of his clearance [in recent vaults],” said coach Emerson.