You may have seen him this summer, live from London and working the track and field events, where, amongst others, he interviewed the World's Fastest Man, Jamaican Usain Bolt, in his capacity as a reporter for TSN.
But Farhan Lalji, Burnaby Central alumni and founder of the resurrected New Westminster Hyacks football program in 2003, is a proud Royal City resident who is once again patrolling the sidelines as head coach of the varsity football squad that just completed its season.
Lalji, along with wife Mary, have made New Westminster home for their young family, which also includes son Lukas and daughter Nora, born earlier this year.
Despite the team's lacklustre season, Lalji was named Monday as one of nine finalists for the 2012 NFL Youth Coach of the Year Award.
The award, now in its 14th year and run in conjunction with Football Canada, is designed to recognize community or high school level coaches across Canada who dedicate themselves to the development of young players both on and off the field.
Lalji will find out if he wins on Nov. 13, but in the meantime, he took some time to answer some candid questions about himself.
Here are his responses.
1. Introduce yourself - who you are, your title, how long have you been doing the job?
Farhan Lalji, senior sports reporter for TSN/CTV. I've been with TSN for 15 years, been in the media for 18 years. Head football coach at New Westminster Secondary School for the past 10 years
2. Best part of your job?
I get to cover some of the biggest sporting events in the world and get paid to do it, the ultimate "guy's job."
The best part is being able to watch a game and tell my wife, "Honey, I have to do it, it's for work," and she can't say anything!
3. Worst part?
The travel and being away from my young family.
4. Most interesting thing to happen to you on the job?
I got caught in the riots in Los Angeles when the Lakers won their first of three straight NBA titles.
5. Activities or interests outside of the job?
I coach high school football. I'm not sure if that's my job or not sometimes. Outside of fatherhood, it's the best thing I do.
6. If you're stuck on a desert island, what three items do you take and why?
1. Laptop, so I can watch game film and Skype with (my son) Lukas.
2. After that, a hammer to break my laptop when I get tired of being connected to the real world.
3. A nine-iron.
7. Favourite place in New West that isn't work-related (which means you can't name Mercer Stadium!)
Queen's Park spray park and petting zoo.
8. Most interesting thing about you that your friends might not even know?
I'm not that interesting. I have a lot of interesting people around me, and I try to blend in and fake it.
9. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. I was born there and haven't been back since I was four.
10. What do you see yourself doing in a year, five years and 10 years (both on the job and personally?)
Hopefully be on my way to retirement, watching Luke and Nora playing sports, doing some CFL play-by-play (and) have a couple of provincial title rings (for football).
11. Mentor/someone you look up to?
Alex Reid, my former high school football coach. A great, great man.
Last question:
12. What's on your Christmas wish list? I don't have a list anymore. Lukas' is too long. No room for me.
