She has been one of the finest Gambia has ever produced, pulling off incredible performances in Youth Games culminating to her rise to the seniors.
A product of Gambia High, an institution renowned for producing most of the nation’s athletes, Fatou was born in Wellingara before moving to Ebo Town.
Teachers at her previous school Serrekunda Junior, watched her transformation to a rising star, competing in various events prior to her call-up to the national team. Her breakthrough to the later followed a brilliant show she had in the 2008 Naycof.
A trip to Milan will come her way for the Youth Games but funding issues saw that chance fail to see light of day.
With the Gambia Police Forces who later absorbed her, Sowe’s growth continued, becoming the nation’s flagbearer in the Youth Games in 2010 in Singapore.
Quickly into the events that followed in 2011, Fatou would turn the cravings for a local heroine, filling in the shoes of namesake Fatou Tiyana who failed to return after a competition in Germany.
She held that mantle well and formed core of a team of athletes from Gambia competing under Senegalese athletics outfit Jarraf in the nationals in Dakar to prepare for international events where facilities are a far cry from what obtained back at the Independence Stadium.
Now, 27, Fatou would travel to Norway but rumours trailed amid suggestions she has been approached by Norway and Sweden athletic federations to dump Gambia.
“That’s just a false rumor I never said I’m representing Norway or Sweden. I’m a Gambian and I’ll always represent my mamaland,” she tells Gambia News.
Sowe was out on international channels on August 25th after a prolong sabbatical, giving fans glimpse of their star after years out of the limelight.
In the run up to this, she had had her fair share of injuries which she is still recuperating from and the coronavirus which, like majority athletes, forced a lock down.
She added: “My fans miss to see me compete for a long time now because I was battling with injuries and life aside track and lack of motivation. My injuries where so serious cause it was several pains that I’ve in my body which is not so common in sport injuries.”
The month’s event was the 100m Women’s race in the Diamond League selected by IAAF in Sweden where she competed against the calibre of Josee Talou, deposed by Gina Bass in the 200m African Games months ago.
Fatou came eighth but topping her priorities this moment is refueling ahead of next term in an attempt to stamp her footprint in the seniors.
She elucidated: “My next plan, I’m just praying to fully recover and be healthy again to do what I love most. -running. Next year is an important year 2021 so we see what will happen Insha Allah.
“I did 3 decent competitions this year and that’s okay I’m resting and start my preparation for next year. I was managing like every athlete, training at home which is not good. The lock down wasn’t good for sport personnel. Coronavirus hit all of us so hard that this year was a half season.”
