Mimi Fawaz is a Nigerian-Lebanese sports journalist, show host and presenter who currently works as a sports presenter on Focus on Africa, a BBC news programme broadcast on BBC World News alongside BBC Africa and BBC Sports. She has worked for CNN, ESPN and ITV Television networks.[1][2][3][4] In January 2017, she hosted the 2016 GLO-CAF Awards alongside Nigerian actor Richard Mofe-Damijo.[5]
Mimi Fawaz | |
|---|---|
| Alma mater | City University of London |
| Occupation(s) | Sports journalist, Sportswriter |
| Employer(s) | BBC World News, BBC Africa, BBC Sport. |
Early life and education
editFawaz was born in Lebanon to a Nigerian mother who comes from Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria and a Lebanese father, but never lived there herself. She grew up in Nigeria. She is a graduate of City University of London where she studied for a masters in journalism.[1][6][7]
Career
editFawaz started out as a journalist intern at CNN.[7] She later went on to work at the ITN, ITV London and ITV News London platforms during which she interviewed the Sarah, Duchess of York.[1][7] Whilst at ITV news she produced their coverage of the 2008 Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea which was played in Moscow, Russia.[1]
Fawaz was the host, producer and presenter on London-based Pan-African TV channel Vox Africa TV's flagship show Sports 360.[8] She was responsible for Vox Africa’s VoxLive and news anchor on VoxNews.[8]
In 2013, whilst working at Vox Africa, Fawaz put together documentaries on Nelson Mandela’s legacy titled Mandela: A reflection on Robben Island which gave her the chance to visit the historic Robben Island.[1] The documentary was aired on Vox Africa in May 2013.[9]
Fawaz was given a role as a contributor on CNN for African football, where she would cover the Africa Cup of Nations on two occasions, the 2013 AFCON and 2015 FCON in South Africa and Equatorial Guinea.[1][4] In April 2015, Fawaz was a moderator for the LSE Africa Summit at the London School of Economics for which Nigerian Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo was a guest speaker.[1][10] On 5 January 2017, she hosted the GLO-CAF Awards along with Nigerian actor Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD).[5] In May 2017, she covered the 67th FIFA congress in Manama, Bahrain and the following month in June 2017, the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia for Kwese Sports.[1][3]
Over the course of her career, Fawaz has interviewed several high-profile African personalities including the former President of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete, Namadi Sambo, former Nigerian Vice-President, Nigerian music duo P-Square and former African football players Kanu Nwankwo and Didier Drogba.[1][4][7]
Fawaz has also worked as a freelancer for ESPN, in the process covering Wimbledon Championship and the US Open for the channel.[1]
On 17 August 2021, Fawaz hosted the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final draw along with Cameroon TV and radio personality Leonard Chatelain at Yaounde Conference Centre in Cameroon.[1][11][12]
Personal life
editFawaz speaks English and French fluently.[1] She has been doing charity works, including supporting SOS Children's Villages with funds in putting up orphanages and other works in African countries.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Anchunda, Benly (13 August 2021). "2021 AFCON Draw: Your Co-host, Multiple Award Winning Mimi Fawaz". Cameroon Radio Television. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ "Mimi Fawaz and Richard Mofe-Damijo to emcee 2016 Glo-Caf Awards". CAFOnline.com. Confedération Africaine du Football (CAF). 4 January 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ a b "MIMI FAWAZ Talks To Us about the Delight & Excitement She Gets Reporting on the Beautiful Game". Ytainment Arena. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "Mimi Fawaz – Journalist and sports presenter". Performing Artiste. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ a b Akabogu, Njideka (6 January 2017). "Mimi Fawaz Served 3 Major Looks As She Hosted The Glo CAF Awards Alongside RMD". 234Star. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- ^ "Glo CAF Awards: RMD, Mimi Fawaz To Host Event". The Whistler Nigeria. 4 January 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Mimi Fawaz". Africa Interviews. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Voxafrica TV's Mimi Fawaz & Living Nollywood Legend, Richard Mofe-Damijo To Host The 2016 GLO-CAF Awards". Voxafrica. 16 March 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ "PRESS RELEASE, Mandela: A reflection on Robben Island". Voxafrica Uk on Facebook. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ "LSE Africa Business Summit". Movemeback Community. 22 April 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ "Award-winning Nigerian Mimi Fawaz and Cameroon's Leonard Chatelain to host TotalEnergies final draw". CAFOnline.com. Confedération Africaine du Football (CAF). 12 August 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ "AFCON 2021 Draw: Female host apologizes after controversial tweet". KICK442. 19 August 2021. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
External links
edit- Mimi Fawaz on Instagram