Tabal to tackle Rio issue with PATAFA today

CEBU, Philippines - The country's marathon queen Mary Joy Tabal will be flying to Manila today to meet with the officials of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) in the hopes of finally putting to rest the issues surrounding her qualification to the Rio Olympics.

She was summoned by PATAFA president Philip Ella Juico along with Jonel and Chipi Borromeo, the top honchos of her major corporate backer Motor Ace Philippines.

For today's meeting, the Motor Ace heads only wish for one thing: for the agency to approve Joy's reinstatement to the national track and field team.

"I am hoping that Mr. Juico will tell Joy that her request for reinstatement has been approved and PATAFA will endorse her to the IAAF," said Chipi Borromeo, the finance director of Motor Ace.

Jonel Borromeo, the company's president, said he is hopeful that things will be clarified so that if PATAFA decides on giving Joy the reinstatement and will send her to Rio, preparation can start moving forward.

"I'm hoping that this meeting will be done to clarify whatever needs to be clarified and once that is over the planning for Rio begins," said Jonel Borromeo.

Tabal, for her part, remains hopeful that she will be reinstated and she wants to represent the country to the Olympics.

"I hope all parties involved will come to an agreement that is beneficial to everyone. I also want to clear the air between PATAFA and I. So many things have been said despite my best efforts to remain positive and it has created a gap and that is something that we are avoiding," said Tabal.The Cebuano long distance running star added that she wishes that her request for reinstatement be granted as she wants to put her focus solely on training and preparation.

Tabal submitted her letter if reinstatement last week and the Patafa board deliberated on it last Friday. They have not come to a decision yet and Juico said he needs to talk to Joy first. (FREEMAN)