NAOS Esports has announced that Sultan “Sultan” Akbay, a professional player from Kazakhstan, will be stepping down from the roster due to health concerns. The player has decided to take an indefinite break from competing and will leave the team permanently to focus on his recovery and well-being.
In their statement, NAOS Esports expressed their support for Sultan’s decision, acknowledging his contributions and impact on the team.
“We fully support his decision and are grateful for everything he has contributed to the team. Wishing you all the best, Sultan. You'll always be a legend,” the organization stated.
Sultan also addressed his departure on social media, revealing that he had been playing through an injury during VALORANT Challengers Southeast Asia 2025: Split 1, which affected his performance. He expressed regret over the situation and extended his best wishes to his team and management.
“Taking a break due to injury. Was playing Split 1 with injury and performed poorly. I am sorry it happened that way. GL to my team and management. Each one of them deserves franchise. Will be thinking about my future in esports.”
Hailing from Kazakhstan, Sultan has been a key figure in the Central Asian VALORANT scene, making a name for himself with Revenant Esports in 2024. He played a crucial role in VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2024, helping Revenant establish itself as one of the region’s top teams.
His standout moment came in VCT Ascension Pacific 2024, where Revenant Esports competed against the best teams from across the region for a spot in the VCT Pacific League. Sultan’s performances as a flex player were instrumental in Revenant’s deep run in the tournament. While the team ultimately fell short of securing a franchise spot, his consistent impact in high-pressure matches earned him recognition as one of the most promising players from Central Asia.
Following his impressive run with Revenant, Sultan joined NAOS Esports for the 2025 season. However, his injury during Split 1 prevented him from playing at his full potential, leading to his decision to step away from competition.
With Sultan’s departure, NAOS Esports will now look for a replacement as they continue their 2025 campaign. Meanwhile, Sultan will focus on his recovery while contemplating his future in esports. Given his experience and past success, a return to competition in the future remains a possibility.
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