Chad seeks salvation through soccer

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.
Chadian officials believe the deal will improve their public image and encourage tourism to the Central African state.
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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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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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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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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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