TILA paghuhukom ang magaganap na paghaharap ngayong umaga nina Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) president Philip Ella Juico at 2016 Rio Olympic Games marathon qualifier Mary Joy Tabal kung saan masusing pag-uusapan kung papayagan na makabalik sa pambansang koponan at kung makakalahok ang huli sa kada apat na taong Olimpiada.
Itinakda mismo ng Patafa ang Hunyo 13 bilang araw ng pag-uusap matapos na isumite ng kampo ni Tabal ang sulat Miyerkules ng gabi na humihiling na muli itong mapabilang sa pambansang koponan habang humingi ng pag-unawa sa kanyang nagawang pagbibitiw sa asosasyon.
“I am Mary Joy Tabal and I am writing to formally request the Patafa to reinstate me as a member of the Philippine national track and field team,” ayon sa sulat ni Tabal na naka-address kay Juico.
“I was a part of the national team and suited up for the country in the Southeast Asian Games where I earned a silver medal. However, I would like to address the elephant in room and say that I did resign and I need your approval for me to return to the national team,” sabi pa nito.
“I resigned from the national team to pursue a different path. But rest assured, my desire to represent the country in the Olympics continues to burn,” sabi pa ni Tabal.
“In my journey to making the Olympics, I was given the opportunity to train in Japan. The people in Japan were different and they have helped me mature not just an athlete but also as an individual,” paliwanag nito sa sulat.
“Leaving the Philippine Team was a bold move on my part and if it slighted you in any way, I would like to assure you that I meant no disrespect. I still hold the Patafa – the officials led by you and the people behind it – in high regard. Again, leaving was not a sign of disrespect. At that time, I just felt that I wanted to pave my own path as far as my running career is concerned.”
“Aside from this, I also want to clarify that I have never said anything that will put Patafa in bad light, despite everything that came out—published in social media. I feel the need to say that here, not really to defend myself but to clear the air,” pagpapaliwanag pa ni Tabal.
Kasama sa sulat na ipinadala ni Tabal ang letter of certification mula naman kay Run Ottawa president at race director John Halvorsen na nagsasabi na nakapagkuwalipika ito sa standard at ang karera ay isang gold standard.
Si Tabal ang pinakaunang Pilipina sa kasaysayan na nakapagkuwalipika sa Olympic marathon matapos nitong abutin ang Olympic qualifying time na 2:45 sa pagtatala ng personal best nitong 2:43.29 oras sa Scotia Bank Ottawa Marathon sa Canada noong Mayo 29 na isang qualifying race para sa Rio Olympics.