Chad seeks salvation through soccer

    By Kieron Monks, for CNN

    Updated 1016 GMT (1816 HKT) September 7, 2016

    FC Metz President Bernard Serin appears with Chad Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Betel Miarom to announce the sponsorship agreement, which will see the French club play with "Chad: Oasis of the Sahel" on the team shirts. <br /><br />Chadian officials believe the deal will improve their public image and encourage tourism to the Central African state.
    Photos: Surprise soccer signing of the summer
    Star signing – FC Metz President Bernard Serin appears with Chad Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Betel Miarom to announce the sponsorship agreement, which will see the French club play with "Chad: Oasis of the Sahel" on the team shirts.

    Chadian officials believe the deal will improve their public image and encourage tourism to the Central African state.
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    FC Metz were promoted to French top flight Ligue 1 this year but needed a new sponsor after a previous deal expired. Pan-African media group LC2 made first contact with the club to propose Chad.
    Photos: Surprise soccer signing of the summer
    Substitute appearance – FC Metz were promoted to French top flight Ligue 1 this year but needed a new sponsor after a previous deal expired. Pan-African media group LC2 made first contact with the club to propose Chad.
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    FC Metz have strong links with African football, having established the "Generation Foot" academy in Dakar, Senegal in 2000. Young players from Chad will now have access to the academy.
    Photos: Surprise soccer signing of the summer
    Exchange students – FC Metz have strong links with African football, having established the "Generation Foot" academy in Dakar, Senegal in 2000. Young players from Chad will now have access to the academy.
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    The academy has produced many stars such as Liverpool's Sadio Mane, seen here scoring against Arsenal.
    Photos: Surprise soccer signing of the summer
    Top graduate – The academy has produced many stars such as Liverpool's Sadio Mane, seen here scoring against Arsenal.
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    Bernard Serin says that FC Metz will also send a delegation of coaches and technicians to Chad to assist the development of soccer in the country.
    Photos: Surprise soccer signing of the summer
    Guiding influence – Bernard Serin says that FC Metz will also send a delegation of coaches and technicians to Chad to assist the development of soccer in the country.
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