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
    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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    Soccer is by far the most popular sport in Chad, and is played across the country, including during this game in Habile refugee camp.
    Photos: Surprise soccer signing of the summer
    Football crazy – Soccer is by far the most popular sport in Chad, and is played across the country, including during this game in Habile refugee camp.
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    However, many Chadian analysts have attacked the deal as an irresponsible waste of money at a time the nation's economy is contracting, and poverty is spreading, with widespread water shortages. <br /><br />Betel Miarom claims that LC2 Media is funding the deal, and denies that the government is spending public money.
    Photos: Surprise soccer signing of the summer
    Cold water – However, many Chadian analysts have attacked the deal as an irresponsible waste of money at a time the nation's economy is contracting, and poverty is spreading, with widespread water shortages.

    Betel Miarom claims that LC2 Media is funding the deal, and denies that the government is spending public money.
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    Efforts to promote Chad as a tourist destination have been hampered by outbreaks of terrorism, including suicide bomb attacks in the capital N'Djamena.<br /><br />Many western countries have issued warnings to their citizens against traveling to the country.<br /><br />Chadian officials believe that soccer can help neutralize the image problem.
    Photos: Surprise soccer signing of the summer
    Image problem – Efforts to promote Chad as a tourist destination have been hampered by outbreaks of terrorism, including suicide bomb attacks in the capital N'Djamena.

    Many western countries have issued warnings to their citizens against traveling to the country.

    Chadian officials believe that soccer can help neutralize the image problem.
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    Instances of countries sponsoring soccer clubs have become increasingly common, such as Azerbaijan's sponsorship of Atletico Madrid.
    Photos: Surprise soccer signing of the summer
    Country club – Instances of countries sponsoring soccer clubs have become increasingly common, such as Azerbaijan's sponsorship of Atletico Madrid.
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    chad metz deal 2FC MetzGeneration footsadio manebernard sarin academiechad football 2chad water 2chad suicide bombmandzukic azeri

    Story highlights

    • Chad and media group sponsor FC Metz
    • Deal is controversial as the nation faces economic and security emergencies
    • Government denies reported fees

    (CNN)The Central African state of Chad is suffering through a steep economic decline and a grueling fight against terrorism.

    But the government believes that soccer can help to revive the nation's fortunes.
      A new sponsorship deal between state officials, Pan-Africa