Profile: Ansu Sowe

Friday, February 8, 2008

Ansu Sowe is one of Gambia’s most highly accomplished young athletes.

Born in 1984 in Essau, North Bank Region of The Gambia, he received his Primary education there and later transferred to Gambia Senior Secondary School in Banjul. This athlete’s transfer was as a result of his remarkable and impressive performance during the Inter Secondary School Athletics championship coming out from his hidden practice regime to lap the then long distance champion. This of course must have attracted every Physical Education teacher’s attention to scramble for such an athlete.

He then made name for himself and started to win many fans as he continued to excel in the long distance runs, notably the 1500 metres and the 5000 metres. Until the time he completed his education at The Gambia Senior Secondary School, he remained the best in this country. His talents and abilities crossed The Gambian border winning him the best long distance runner in the sub region.

He won twice the sub-regional championship earning gold medals in both events and he was again crowned the best long distance runner in the sub-region during the Sydney Commonwealth Games held in 2006 when he represented The Gambia. This athlete now holds two national records. He holds the 1500 metre record of The Gambia which he broke during the 2007 Algeria All-Africa Games, and he also keeps the 3000 metre record won in Italy in 2007. As a result of his performances, The Gambia Athletics Association recognized his abilities and prospects, and secured him a scholarship from the Olympic Solidarity through GNOC. He is currently at the Eldoret High Performance Centre of the IAAF in Kenya. Scholarships at this level are renewed at the end of the Olympic Games, based on improved performance. 

Source: The Point