HINILING ni Rio Olympics marathoner Mary Joy Tabal na bigyan siya ng pagkakataon na makabalik sa National Team at maging bahagi ng delegasyon na isasabak sa 28th Southeast Asian Games sa Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“With the SEA Games on the horizon, I am respectfully asking for your reconsideration in reinstating me in the Philippine National Team. I am hoping that my performance in Ottawa would merit this request. I further hope that you find me deserving of a spot in the Southeast Asian Games as representative of the Philippines for this year,” pahayag ng 23-anyos na si Tabal sa kanyang sulat na may petsang Hunyo 6, 2017 kay Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (Patafa) President Philip Ella Juico.

Ginawa ni Tabal ng sulat isang araw matapos dumating sa bansa mula sa matagumpay na kampanya sa 2017 Ottawa Half-Marathon kung saan naitala niya ang bagong personal best at National record na 1:16.28.

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“It is with humility yet with great pride that I share with you and the rest of the country my medal. I took home the top prize and bested runners from all over the world. The Philippine flag was proudly raised that day. Prior to the event, I had the great opportunity to train at the Tuscany Camp in Italy,” sambit ni Tabal.

Ngunit, tila hindi nakarating ang naturang sulat sa Patafa.

Nitong Martes, ipinahayag ni Juico ang tuluyang pagtangal kay Tabal sa RP Team bunsod umano ng kabiguan na sundin ang patakaran ng asosasyon.

Umani ng negatibong reaksiyon ang pahayag ni Juico na naging daan para tanghalin siyang ‘persona non grata’ ng mga Cebuano kabilang na si Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner Ramon Fernandez.

Hiniling din ni dating Patafa president at malapit na kaibigan ni Juico na si Go Teng Kok na pag-usapan ang isyu at bigyan nang pagkakataon si Tabal na makalaro sa National Team. (Edwin Rollon)