EJ Obiena, the celebrated Asian pole vault king and World No. 2, will be honored as the ‘Sports Idol’ at the third Siklab Youth Sports Awards. This event, set to occur on December 4 at the Market! Market! Activity Center in Taguig City, is organized by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee Media Group. Obiena shares this spotlight with 57 other young athletes across 33 sports. The event will also present a special citation to the Youth Football League and the Davao Aguilas Football Club, along with the Para Youth Star award to Ariel Alegarbes.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go will receive the Godfather Award for his support of sports. Other notable awardees include tennis star Alex Eala, Muay Thai champion Alyssa Kylie Mallari, and weightlifting world youth champion Prince Keil Delos Santos. These athletes will be receiving the Go for Gold Siklab Young Heroes awards. Additionally, the Burlington Super Kids Award will recognize champions like Joseph Anthony Godbout and Erica Arnaiz, among others.
The awards night, previously held in 2018 and 2019, was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Obiena’s remarkable achievements, including a gold medal at the 19th Asian Games and setting a new Asian record, have bolstered his recognition. He also qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics following his performance at the Stockholm Diamond League-Bauhaus Galan.