TEHRAN – Iran’s men’s sitting volleyball team claimed the Paralympic Games gold medal for the eighth time in Paris but the team need to rebuild if they are to compete for the top titles again.

There are so many experienced players who have competed in the Games since Sydney 2000.  Isa Zirahi, Davoud Alipourian, Sadegh Bigdeli, Majid Lashgari and Ramezan Salehi helped Team Melli win the title in Paralympic for the third time in a row but they will be four years older than the last time in Paris in the next Paralympics.

Iran head coach Hadi Rezaei has said the team need rejuvenation for the 2028 Paralympic Games.

“The Asian Para Games and the international tournaments will help us for investment in grassroots as the team need to rebuild. The other countries are investing in the sport and the Iranian officials should be in a hurry if they want to win gold in Paralympics,” Rezaei said.

Rezaei was captain of the country's sitting volleyball team that won Paralympic gold medals at Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996.

He was then coach of the team that won gold medals at Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 and silver at Athens 2004 and London 2012.

Now, the Iranian team face generation change and the young and talented players must be added to the team.

But as soon as possible.