# Sport diplomacy in action: Linda Benallal Appointed to Lead Humanitarian Action for NOVA Africa 2026-2030 > DUBAI / ABIDJAN- African sports diplomacy has reached a historic milestone. NOVA AFC7 (PTY) LTD has officially announced the strategic appointment of Mrs. Linda Mohamed Benallal as the Humanitarian D… - Source: African Economy - Canonical URL: https://africaneconomy.net/article/sport-diplomacy-in-action-linda-benallal-appointed-to-lead-humanitarian-action-for-nova-africa - Author: Sofia Beni - Section: Policy & Governance - Published: 2026-10-21T13:19:31.525Z - Updated: 2026-10-21T13:19:31.525Z - Tags: #Africa #Sport #Football #AFC7 #Nova --- DUBAI / ABIDJAN- African sports diplomacy has reached a historic milestone. NOVA AFC7 (PTY) LTD has officially announced the strategic appointment of Mrs. Linda Mohamed Benallal as the Humanitarian Director for the ambitious NOVA Africa 2026–2030 Program. This high-profile executive placement breathes new life into the Confederation, elevating social development to the same level of priority as athletic performance across the continent.Reporting directly to Founding President Jacques Martinien Bamnga, Mrs. Benallal takes on the vital responsibility of steering the core "Football & Humanity" pillar. This large-scale initiative aims to transform Football 7-a-side into a powerful engine for community empowerment and human advancement. Her leadership mandate will span 54 African nations, structured efficiently across six distinct regional zones.A Mandate Focused on Sustainable DevelopmentThe new director's roadmap targets critical focus areas designed to shape the future of youth and communities across the continent:* Education & Youth: Upgrading school sports infrastructure and establishing community development programs.* Public Health: Launching awareness campaigns and improving access to primary health initiatives through localized sports networks.* Women's Empowerment: Expanding opportunities for young girls in organized sports and driving specialized leadership programs."The goal is not only to develop elite athletes but to foster engaged citizens and provide local communities with the structural tools needed for self-sustaining development," the leadership team at NOVA Africa stated.Global Partnerships for Local ImpactBacked by a strong professional background in international trade and cross-border partnership management, Linda Benallal possesses the ideal profile to mobilize vital global resources. Her strategic agenda highlights close collaboration with international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), institutional donors, and global corporate partners.This structural cooperation is set to unlock key developmental funding dedicated to financing long-term, high-impact infrastructure projects. With this four-year executive mandate, the NOVA Africa 2026–2030 Program firmly establishes itself as a forward-thinking model where athletic excellence goes hand in hand with measurable humanitarian progress. --- Originally published by African Economy. Free to cite with attribution and a link to https://africaneconomy.net/article/sport-diplomacy-in-action-linda-benallal-appointed-to-lead-humanitarian-action-for-nova-africa.