# AFC7 Launches Historic "NOVA AFRICA 2026-2030" Program to Revolutionize Youth 7-a-Side Football > JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — In a major milestone for African sports development, the African Confederation of 7-a-side Football (AFC7) has officially launched its landmark four-year structuring init… - Source: African Economy - Canonical URL: https://africaneconomy.net/article/afc7-launches-historic-nova-africa-2026-2030-program-to-revolutionize-youth-7-a-side-football - Author: Sofia Beni - Section: Policy & Governance - Published: 2026-10-21T15:14:41.742Z - Updated: 2026-10-21T15:14:41.742Z - Tags: #Africa #Football #Sport #NOVA #AFC7 --- JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — In a major milestone for African sports development, the African Confederation of 7-a-side Football (AFC7) has officially launched its landmark four-year structuring initiative, the NOVA AFRICA 2026-2030 program. Unveiled alongside NOVA AFC7 PTY LTD, the confederation's exclusive commercial arm, the sweeping developmental plan aims to transform grassroots football across the continent's 54 Member Associations under the inspiring theme: "For Every Child, A Ball, A Dream." A Comprehensive Framework with Four Pillars The NOVA AFRICA 2026-2030 program is built upon four foundational pillars designed to discover talent, elevate standards, and standardize the sport across all six Zonal Unions (UNAF, WAFU A, WAFU B, UNIFFAC, CECAFA, and COSAFA): NOVA AFRICA CUP U17: The flagship youth competition (for both boys and girls), serving as the primary platform for scouting and developing young African talent.NOVA ACADEMY: A centralized continental program for the training and certification of coaches, referees, and sports administrators.NOVA BALL: The official match ball, homologated in compliance with Law 2 of the AFC7 Laws of the Game 2026-2027.Zonal Qualification Circuits: A structured development pathway utilizing the six continental zones to streamline regional competitions and qualifiers. Centralized Commercial Strategy In accordance with Official Joint Communiqué No. 009/AFC7/NOVA/2026, the South African-registered company NOVA AFC7 PTY LTD is confirmed as the exclusive and sole commercial arm worldwide for the program. The subsidiary holds absolute exclusivity over the commercialization of all broadcasting, streaming, naming, sponsorship, and ticketing rights for the NOVA AFRICA CUP U17. It is also responsible for managing official merchandise, distributing the official NOVA BALL, and collecting entry and homologation fees from Member Associations. The General Secretariat explicitly noted that any unauthorized third-party use of the program’s brand, name, or derivative products is strictly prohibited and will face legal action. Kickoff Scheduled for July 2027 in Johannesburg The competitive rollout will begin in the southern zone with the inaugural edition of the NOVA AFRICA CUP U17 – COSAFA 2027: Venue: Johannesburg, South AfricaDate: July 2027Participants: 14 Member Associations from the COSAFA ZoneFormat: 7-a-side football – 50m x 30m pitch – AFC7 Laws of the Game Competition schedules for the remaining five zones (UNAF, WAFU A, WAFU B, UNIFFAC, and CECAFA) will be announced in the upcoming continental calendar. Media Contact & Official Inquiries:All institutional correspondence, partnership inquiries, and licensing requests regarding the NOVA AFRICA 2026-2030 program must be directed to NOVA AFC7 PTY LTD via email at info@afc7online.com or through the website at afc7online.com. --- Originally published by African Economy. Free to cite with attribution and a link to https://africaneconomy.net/article/afc7-launches-historic-nova-africa-2026-2030-program-to-revolutionize-youth-7-a-side-football.