Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

Sheikh Fahad Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (10 August 1945 – 2 August 1990) (Arabic: الشيخ الشهيد فهد الأحمد الجابر الصباح ‎) was a member of the House of Sabah and a Kuwaiti military officer who was also the founder of the Kuwait Olympic Committee.^[1] He was killed during the Invasion of Kuwait by elements of the Iraqi Armed Forces at Dasman Palace.

Early life

Sheikh Fahad was the ninth son of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and was educated in Kuwait for his primary and secondary schooling.

Military career

Sheikh Fahad enlisted in the Kuwaiti Armed Forces on April 22, 1963 as an aspirant. He pursued further military training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on July 30, 1964. Fahad was subsequently promoted to a second lieutenant on July 19, 1965 and first lieutenant on March 1, 1967 . On June 7, 1970 he was promoted to the rank of captain.

Military commands

• Acting commander by delegation of the 2nd Battalion, 25th Commando Brigade attached to the Yarmouk Brigade
• Staff Officer in the Emiri Guard Brigade on November 25th, 1968 in the rank of 1st lieutenant

Six Day War 1967

In June 1967 the Kuwait Armed Forces were engaged outside the borders of Kuwait for the first time, during the Six-Day War between Israel and four Arab countries (Egypt, Iraq, Syria and Jordan). Fahad took part in the Six-Day War attached to the Yarmouk Brigade of the Kuwaiti Army; as acting commander by delegation of the 2nd Commando Battalion, deployed on the Egyptian front.

1973 October War

During the Yom Kippur War, Fahad was redeployed with the Yarmouk Brigade to the Egyptian front on the Suez Canal in October 1973.

Death

In August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait.^[2] While Kuwait was being overrun the Emir of Kuwait was exiled out of the country. In the meantime, Fahad rushed to the defense of Dasman Palace and fought the invading Iraqi forces. According to an Iraqi soldier who was present and who deserted after the assault, he was shot and killed and his body was placed in front of a tank and run over.^[3]

Sports administration

1982 World cup incident

During the match against France at the 1982 FIFA World Cup, France scored a goal while some of the Kuwaiti players had stopped, having heard a whistle. The goal was initially awarded by the referee, who had not blown, but Kuwait walked off the pitch in protest. They eventually resumed playing only after the intervention of Sheikh Fahad and the referee's changing his mind to disallow the French goal.

Personal life

Sheikh Fahad was married and was succeeded by five sons and one daughter. One of his sons is Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, who is President of the Olympic Council of Asia, as well as a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Honours and awards

Kuwait National honours

• Military Service Medal, Bronze
• Medal of Military Duty, First Class

Other honours

• Order of military courage of Egypt, First Class
• Order of Republic of Tunisia
• Order of Republic of Yemen, First Class
• Honorary Doctorate from the Halwan University, Egypt
• Olympic Gold Medal from the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
• Appreciation Decoration on behalf of UNESCO
• Honorary Doctorate in Law from University of Seoul, South Korea
• Honorary citizenship of Japan

See Also

• Chief of the General Staff (Kuwait)

References