PHILIPPINE Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) president Philip Ella Juico said he and the Patafa board will challenge the Philippine Olympic Committee's (POCs) decision to declare him a persona non grata after allegedly harassing Olympian pole vaulter Ernest John 'EJ' Obiena.

Juico said that POC's decision against him is invalid since the impasse between him, the Patafa, and Obiena is an intra-NSA (national sports association) issue. He said POC can only act on the issue if the parties concerned could not find any resolution at all.