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AFN Suffers Another Setback As Mobil withdraws sponsorship By Duro Ikhazuagbe Barely three months after the UNIC Insurance Plc formally announced its withdrawal from the sponsorship of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) monthly classic, Mobil Plc, the title sponsor of the discipline in Nigeria has followed suit. Yesterday, the multi-national oil company said in Lagos that 'ExxonMobil would no longer be the title sponsor after bankrolling next year's track and field championship. ExxonMobil's Public Relations Manager Rita Umoren said her company was pulling out as title sponsor to give room to other companies interested in developing the sport. For this year's Olympic Trial slated for Abuja, ExxonMobil is committing N10 million. Almost four years since the Dan Ngerem led board assumed the leadership of the federation, Nigeria's fortunes has taken a downward slide. Nigeria used to be a power house in the sprints, quarter-mile and relays suddenly dropped out of top ranking in the world and African circuit. Virtually all the top ranked Nigerian sprinters like Uchenna Emedolu, Deji Aliu, Endurance Ojokolo, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi and Mercy Nku are currently giving below par performances in all the IAAF approved races in Europe. The situation is not different with the quarter-mile. Since Policeman, Sunday Bada, Clement Chukwu and Jude Monye quit the stage, the likes of Musa Audu, Fidelis Gadzama and Aniefok Udo -Obong have not been able to keep up with the big challenge. Sadly enough, several top rated athletes like Gloria Alozie and Francis Obikwelu have had to change nationality to save their athletic careers. Even as Nigeria's Athens bound athletes begin their camping in Germany, prospects of getting any medal from track and field remains bleak given that the nation has not gotten any form of medal in a global championship in the last four years. AFN top chiefs who spoke to THISDAYSports last night however said. "Mobil'swithdrawal would now give room to other sponsors waiting in the wings. Who Are We ? | About THISDAYOnLine.com | THISDAY People | Contact Us © Copyright 2000 Leaders & Company Limited

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