Chad seeks salvation through soccer

    By Kieron Monks, for CNN

    Updated 1016 GMT (1816 HKT) September 7, 2016

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    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
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