Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmed 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] Fahad died fighting alongside the Kuwait Emiri Guard in defending Dasman Palace.

Early life

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

Military career

Fahad was commissioned in the Kuwait Armed Forces on April 22, 1963 as an aspirant. He pursued further military training in a military institution in the United Kingdom on July 30, 1964. Fahad was subsequently promoted to 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 Commando Battalion, Kuwait 25th Commando Brigade attached to the Yarmouk Brigade
• Staff Officer in the Kuwait Emiri Guard on November 25, 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 Kuwait Army; as acting commander by delegation of the 2nd Commando Battalion, on the Egyptian front.

Olympic and Sports administration career

Kuwait Sports

• President, Kuwait Olympic Committee 1974-1985 and re-elected in 1989.^[1]
• President, Qadsia Sports Club, 1969-79.
• President, Kuwait Basketball Federation, 1974-77.

Arab Sports

• First Vice President, Arab Sports Union Since 1976.
• First Vice- President, Arab Basketball Federation 1974-76.

Asian Sports

• President, Asian Games Federation, 1979-1982.
• President, Asian Handball Federation, since 1974 till his demise.

International Sports

• Vice-President, International Handball Federation since 1980 till his demise.
• Vice-President, Association of National Olympic Committee since 1979 till his demise.
• Member International Olympic Committee since 1981 till his demise.
• Member, Executive Board IOC 1985-1989.
• President, Olympic Council of Asia since 1982 till his demise.

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 was cancelled after Fahad stepped onto the field and ordered the referee to reverse his decision. A few months prior to his death, Fahad invited Michel Platini (at the time the French football team's captain) to apologize for his unethical behavior eight years before.^[2]

Dasman Palace

In August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait.^[3][4] While Kuwait was being overrun, the Emir of Kuwait was exiled from the country. Various units of the Military of Kuwait were engaged in various battle sectors; Fahad died fighting alongside the Kuwait Emiri Guard commanders in the Battle of Dasman Palace during the Iraqi invasion.

Personal life

Fahad was married and was the father of 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

Arab and non-Arab 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

References