Female athletes celebrated at Heriot-Watt

In celebration of Heriot-Watt’s Women in Sport Week, the University is shining a light on a group of female athletes who have excelled in their respective sports.

From martial arts to football, the University is home to an array of sporting talent across its global campuses in Malaysia, Dubai and in the UK.

Among them is 19-year-old, Kori Fital, who is a 2^nd Dan in Karate, a sport she started when she was just five years old. She has gone on to claim history by becoming the first Scottish female to win the European Championships in 2020 and is now an undergraduate studying psychology at the Edinburgh campus.

When asked how she first got involved in the combat sport, Kori explained: “My brother sparked my interest in sports, and I’ve loved karate ever since I was a little girl.

“I’ve been able to maintain this passion due to the supportive people around me. My family is my biggest source of encouragement and motivation, inspiring me to strive for more in this sport, and I am forever grateful for them.”

In sharing her advice to other students who aspire to succeed in sports, Kori said: “Dedication is key.

“If you truly want something, you’ll do whatever it takes to achieve it - whether it’s going to bed earlier, waking up earlier, or seeking guidance from others.”

At Heriot-Watt’s Dubai campus, a captain of the University’s women’s cricket team spoke about her life as a female athlete.

Eeman Haider is in her fourth year of studying International Business Management and admits having always loving the thrill of competition.

She said: “I got involved in sports because I’ve always loved the energy and excitement that comes with competition. Cricket, in particular, drew me in because of its combination of strategy, skill, and teamwork.

“Growing up, I played with friends and quickly realised that I wanted to take it more seriously. When I joined Heriot-Watt University, I saw an opportunity to be part of something bigger, to represent the University and to help build a strong women’s cricket team.

“The challenges and rewards of being both a player and a captain have taught me so much about leadership, resilience, and the importance of working together towards a shared goal.”

The sporting prowess displayed at Heriot-Watt goes beyond its global student population. The Pro-Chancellor of the Malaysia campus is regarded as one of the greatest women’s squash players of all time having enjoyed a career filled with notable achievements, including winning the World Open title a record eight times, as well as the British Open title multiple times.

Datuk (Dr) Nicol Ann David is now using her background in professional sport to empower the lives of others through education.

She said: “My dad was the person that inspired me to pursue sports at a young age. He was a former football goalkeeper for Malaysia, played hockey and was a sprinter for Penang State, so as a kid, my sisters and I would be encouraged to give different sports a try.

“When I was five years old, the first public squash centre in Penang was built and my dad enrolled my sisters and I into squash classes and I never looked back.”

Sharing her advice to students, Datuk (Dr) Nicol Ann David added: “My advice would be to work hard towards your set goals and make the most of it when the opportunity arises. However, studies comes first while in university and you should take the time to study fully for your exams.

“After university, you can enter the sports industry, which is a booming arena.

“Whether to compete professionally or be involved through sports science, high performance development or even media and entertainment, there are plenty of avenues to get involved through sports.”

Heriot-Watt’s Women in Sport Week is held annually with this year’s celebrations beginning on Monday, October 7. The week marks the achievements of sporting women belonging to the University community and how they can help inspire the next generation to fulfil their sporting potential.