THE Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) agreed on Thursday to reinstate marathoner Mary Joy Tabal for the third time of her career.
In a statement, the Patafa said the 27-year-old Cebuano accepted the terms laid down by the federation for her to join the national team that will compete in the 29th Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur set from August 19 to 30.
“[She] has a commitment to comply with all of Patafa’s rules and regulations. We look forward to Ms. Tabal working with the entire Patafa team as a positive contributor to the victories that the 33 other members of the athletics team are well on their way to achieving for the country and the Filipino people,” the statement said.
Tabal complied with the Patafa’s Wednesday deadline for her to commit to the national team. The federation granted her appeal on Thursday, the final day for the submission of entries by names to the SEA Games Task Force.
One of the major requisites set by Patafa is for Tabal to train and compete under Coach Rene Herrera, a five-time Southeast Asian Games champion. But the athletics body said it will allow Tabal’s technical staff to join her in Malaysia in accordance with the rules of the organizing committee.
The bemedaled marathon runner who competed in last year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics also has to avoid speaking negatively about the Patafa both in public and in social media.
Upon her arrival from her training in Italy, which was sponsored by her private backer, Tabal must report to the Patafa and regularly give updates about her training program.
Tabal’s supporters from Cebu pelted the Patafa, led by its president Philip Ella Juico, after the association announced she was dropped from the national team. This marks the third time Tabal has appealed—and granted—her inclusion on the national team.
Tabal clinched the women’s marathon silver medal behind a rival from Thailand in the Singapore 2015 SEA Games. She resigned from the national team after that, saying she wanted “to pursue her own career path”.
The four-time Milo Marathon Queen was taken back to the national team after her qualification for the Rio Olympics. The vicious cycle continued after the long-distance runner quit again “as Tabal and her handlers insisted on leaving Patafa”.
Last month Tabal broke the women’s half-marathon national record and made topped the women’s field in the ScotiaBank Ottawa Half Marathon in Canada.