Nedbank, controlled by Old Mutual, decided to terminate its sponsorship a year early because of timing and "logistical challenges" ahead of the the football World Cup in South Africa next year, a spokesman for Nedbank said.

They may now not return to the sport at all after the World Cup because of the Semenya scandal.
 

The spokesman said: "Clearly we'll have to take current and future ASA developments into account before making any decisions.

"We agreed earlier this year that our five-year sponsorship would be reduced to four years, terminating at the end of 2009."
 

Semenya won the gold medal in the 800m race in the World Championships in Berlin last month, clocking the fastest time in the world this year.

But the victory has been overshadowed by a row involving her gender.

 

Leonard Chuene, the President of ASA, has admitted he lied about knowing of the International Association of Athletics Federation's request for tests as well as tests done in South Africa on Semenya before the event.
 

The ASA's ruling Council last week decided Chuene could keep his post even after calls said he should be fired.
 

Nedbank was dissatisfied with the quality of some of the events it sponsored.

The spokesman said: "We were, before the Berlin event controversy, and still are, in negotiation with ASA regarding our sponsorship of road running into the future."


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