Former African queen of the tracks, Mary Onyali, has been appointed as Head of Operations in Nigeria by South Africa and America-based World Wide Scholarships (WWS).

The appointment brings Onyali, a multiple medallist, into a key role in an organisation which is committed to identifying, developing and connecting African sporting and academic talents with international opportunities.

WWS is a global sports, academics and arts organisation with its operations based in the United States of America and South Africa.

The organisation specialises in connecting talented African students and athletes with high schools, colleges, and universities abroad, particularly through sports and academic scholarship opportunities.

Onyali’s appointment is expected to strengthen WWS’s presence in Nigeria, particularly in the identification and development of young athletes who have the potential to secure scholarships and pursue sporting careers while obtaining quality education.

An excited Onyali told The Guardian at the weekend that she would contribute her quota to WWS’s identification and development of young athletes in Nigeria.

“It is a great honour for me to be singled out for this appointment, and I will play my role well,” she said.

For years, Onyali has been at the forefront, encouraging young athletes to maintain a balance between sports and education, preaching that academic excellence remains important for athletes seeking scholarship opportunities abroad.

Her philosophy aligns closely with the mission of WWS, which describes its core objective as “empowering talent in Africa” and says it has connected more than 1,000 students with educational opportunities.

With Onyali now taking responsibility for Nigeria, WWS is expected to deepen its talent identification programme across the country and provide more Nigerian athletes with access to international scholarship pathways.

The organisation already offers opportunities in athletics, football, swimming, basketball, rugby, tennis, and several other sports, while also supporting academic and artistic scholarship pathways.