Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (Arabic: الشيخ فهد الأحمد الجابر الصباح; 10 August 1945 – 2 August 1990) was a member of the Kuwaiti ruling family, a military officer, Fatah militant, and sports administrator. He was the founder of the Asian Handball Federation and Kuwait Olympic Committee.[1] Fahad was killed fighting alongside the Kuwait Emiri Guard in defending Dasman Palace on the first day of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.
Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah | |
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الشيخ فهد الأحمد الجابر الصباح | |
1st President of the Asian Handball Federation | |
In office 26 August 1974 – 2 August 1990 | |
Preceded by | Position created |
Succeeded by | Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah |
1st President of the Olympic Council of Asia | |
In office 16 November 1982 – 2 August 1990 | |
Preceded by | Position created |
Succeeded by | Roy de Silva (acting) |
Personal details | |
Born | Kuwait | 10 August 1945
Died | 2 August 1990 Kuwait | (aged 44)
Children | |
Parent |
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Awards |
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Military service | |
Allegiance | Kuwait |
Branch/service | Kuwait Army |
Rank | Commanding Officer |
Unit | Kuwait 25th Commando Brigade Kuwait Emiri Guard Brigade |
Battles/wars | |
Fahad was the son of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and was educated in Kuwait for his primary and secondary schooling.
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 30 July 30, 1964. Fahad was subsequently promoted to Second lieutenant on 19 July 1965 and First lieutenant on 1 March 1967. On 7 June 1970 he was promoted to the rank of Captain.
Fahad was a member of the Palestinian group Fatah when it was headquartered in Jordan and later when it moved to Lebanon.[2] 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.
In 1971 Fahad was arrested as a fighter in Lebanon and repatriated to Kuwait.[2]
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.[3] In 1988, Fahad invited Michel Platini (at the time the French football team's captain) to play for Kuwait in a preparatory match against the USSR. Platini played for 21 minutes, and was framed by the Kuwaitis as an apology for his unethical behavior eight years before.[4]
In August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait.[5][6] While Kuwait was being overrun, the Emir of Kuwait escaped from the country. Various Military Forces units were engaged in different battle sectors; Fahad died fighting alongside the Kuwait Emiri Guard commanders in the Battle of Dasman Palace.
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 was president of the Olympic Council of Asia, as well as a member of the International Olympic Committee.