Iran Mourns Rising Volleyball Star Saber Kazemi After Stroke in Qatar
Saber Kazemi, a 26-year-old member of Iran’s national volleyball team and a player for Qatar’s Al Rayyan Club, has died following complications from a stroke suffered in late October while in Qatar.
Saber Kazemi, a 26-year-old member of Iran’s national volleyball team and a player for Qatar’s Al Rayyan Club, has died following complications from a stroke suffered in late October while in Qatar. His death has shocked Iran’s sports community and prompted an outpouring of grief from teammates, coaches, and fans across the country.
According to Iranian and Qatari media, Kazemi collapsed beside a swimming pool in Doha on October 17, 2025 after suffering a massive stroke. Qatari doctors managed to resuscitate him, but he remained in a coma under intensive medical supervision for several days.
On Wednesday, October 29, Iranian media reported the findings of a medical commission in Tehran, which took over his case after his transfer to Iran. The commission confirmed brain death, consistent with the earlier diagnosis by Qatari physicians. According to the report, “complete and irreversible loss of brain function” had occurred.
Kazemi had joined Al Rayyan only one week before the incident, signing a contract with the Qatari club — the defending champion of the Asian Volleyball Club Championship. Before moving to Qatar, he had played professionally in Turkey and Kuwait, earning recognition as one of Iran’s brightest volleyball talents.
Born on December 24, 1998, in the village of Qanqermeh near Aq Qala in Golestan Province, Kazemi rose from local competitions to the international stage. He joined Iran’s national volleyball team in 2018 and represented the country at major tournaments, including the Tokyo Olympics. Known for his powerful left-handed spikes and calm demeanor, he was celebrated as one of the most promising opposite spikers in Asia.
After his collapse, Kazemi was flown by air ambulance to Tehran on November 5 for continued treatment. Despite the efforts of Iranian specialists, he did not regain consciousness, and on November 6, 2025, the Iran Volleyball Federation announced his death.
His body was transferred to his hometown of Qanqermeh, where he was laid to rest three weeks after the stroke. According to the IRNA news agency, the funeral was attended by athletes, coaches, and local residents, who honored him in a traditional Turkmen ceremony.
“Women wearing long scarves and men in choghas formed a circle of solidarity around the Kazemi family,” IRNA reported. “The mournful song Yeldizim (‘My Star’) filled the air as the community bid farewell.”
Golestan Province, Kazemi’s birthplace, is considered one of Iran’s volleyball strongholds, having produced numerous national-level players. His death is regarded as a major loss for both provincial and national sports. In its official statement, the Iran Volleyball Federation praised Kazemi as “a symbol of discipline, humility, and passion who brought honor to Iranian volleyball.” Tributes also came from the Asian Volleyball Confederation, the Iranian Olympic Committee, and his former clubs in Turkey and Qatar.
The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) expresses its deep condolences over the loss of Saber Kazemi, which is a heartbreaking tragedy for the Iranian community. Kazemi was a symbol of the very best qualities of Iran — talent, perseverance, humility, and grace — and his legacy continues to inspire and unite young Iranians around the world. Kazemi’s dedication to his sport and his country stands as a lasting reminder of the strength and potential within Iran’s younger generations.
Officials confirmed that he suffered a sudden cerebral event rather than any physical trauma. His death has reignited discussion about athlete health monitoring and emergency medical preparedness for professional players competing abroad. Kazemi’s untimely death ends the career of a rising star who embodied Iran’s new generation of volleyball excellence. For many, his name will remain a lasting symbol of talent, perseverance, and national pride.