Sports Journalism Redefined: Interview With Deji Faremi (@DeejayFaremi)

So i decided to hang out with Celebrity Sports Journalist, Deji Faremi, who is also a key member of the Cool/Wazobia/Info sports crew, popularly known as FEMI & THE GANG. Deji is one of those openly quiet, seemingly unassuming young men whose passion becomes obvious when he's on the job. On twitter, he's your go-to-guy for accurate, up to date sports news. From transfer news to match schedules to live commentaries, Deji has your back. Check out my interview with him:




WHY DID YOU BECOME A SPORTS JOURNALIST?

Passion is the first thing that comes to my mind. For me, it was important that I did something that makes me happy. I’ve always been a big sports person, doing and talking sports through my school days. So I thought “Why not impact the knowledge and passion you have into other, informing, educating and entertaining them?”

WHAT'S THE MOST EXCITING AND THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB?

Every part of the job is exciting. It’s always exciting when you enjoy what you do. Of course, there’s the traveling and  the aspect where you meet people. But when you love your job, it’s always exciting. Challenges? Hmm, so many oooo. Well, it’s crazy being a sports journalist! Because sports doesn’t sleep, you almost never sleep too. Even when you do, it’s at odd times. Today, you have to stay up to watch a tennis/ basketball game, tomorrow you wake early on a Saturday -  when others are resting - to cover a hockey or synchronized swimming…something!

WHAT INSPIRES YOU? 

This is tricky. So many things…..I get my inspiration from so many things. My parents words, my upbringing – which wasn’t as great as Michael Jackson’s, and importantly I inspire myself.

I’m a very self motivating person, so I push myself to break barriers and achieve success and great things. Of course, great individuals like who’ve achieve greatness from humble beginnings inspire me as well.

IF YOU'RE NOT A SPORTS JOURNALIST, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE BEEN?

I would have been a sports journalist! Just kidding. I could have been a sports man, though I’m not sure I’d be great at it. I have a BA in History and Diplomatic Studies and I enjoy talking history and international relations, so I could have been a diplomat, or an ambassador.

WHAT FOOTBALL CLUB DO YOU SUPPORT?

Real Madrid. Easy.

APART FROM FOOTBALL, WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?

I love basketball, tennis, rugby as well. But I’m sure you mean other stuff I love aside from sports……I love good music, preferably slow/alternative rock. I love video games (almost an addict). I do movies a lot as well, especially romantic movies. And I love talking football…..sorry, I just had to bring it in somehow.

FAVORITE FOOD?

Rice, Pounded yam and Egusi soup with bush meat, but no bush meat anymore these days because of you know what……I love good food.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THE FEMALE ATTENTION THAT COMES WITH YOUR JOB?

This is really tricky. I think I cope just fine. I try to relate with my female admirers very well without necessarily getting too deep or too personal (except though if somehow I’m interested in the person, you know?). Hope my answer doesn’t get me into trouble…..

WHO'S THE CLOSEST MEMBER OF THE GANG TO YOU?

Closest? Before somebody will fight me for not choosing him, I am close to everyone

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?

Cool and calm on the outside, crazy on the inside. Simple and classy but not noisy.

WHAT WAS GROWING UP LIKE FOR YOU?

Great, settled, controlled. My parents take education so important, so they made sure I attended one of the best Primary and Secondary schools around. As I said earlier, it wasn’t a bed of roses and I wasn’t born with a silver spoon, but it wasn’t hell either. There were so many challenges, but I have a very supportive family and we were always ready to help one another. Church was a big part of my growing up as well. My mum, like many mothers, didn’t joke with training us to be spiritually and morally upright……I grow everyday

TELL US ABOUT YOUR  MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT?

I’m hardly embarrassed. I find it an honour, rather than embarrassing when fans spot me in awkward situations. That they recognize me alone is a big deal.

WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP IN YOUR CAREER FOR YOU?

I’ve started doing some writing for some foreign websites. I am looking at getting reporting/correspondence jobs for media houses outside the country. I’m enjoying writing more these days and I want to discover myself more in that area too. TV is something else I wish to fully explore.

LAST WORD FOR YOUR FANS?

I have fans? Never knew. That’s really sweet to hear. I say believe in yourself. You can be anything you want to be, just keep going for it, keep working hard and never give. Remember, no one said it would be easy.