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.