Sentence:  The Istiqlal <WSD>sponsored</WSD> U.M.C.I.A. ( L'Union Marocaine des Commercants , Industrialistes et Artisans ) was opposed by candidates of the new U.N.F.P. ( L'Union National des Forces Populaires ) in nearly all urban centers . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  assume sponsorship of