KOTA KINABALU: Sabah hurdler Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian hopes to compete actively for six more years before calling it quits.
"Actually I wanted to quit but many said not now as we do not have anyone to take over.
"Maybe I will continue (to compete) until I am 35," said the 29-year-old when met at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport upon arrival here yesterday.
Rayzam who won gold medal in the men's 110m hurdles in the Sea Games final on Saturday, was welcomed home by a big crowd of supporters including his wife Eriyana Idris, 29, and his five-year-old daughter Rayyana Arya.
Asked if this will be his last Sea Games, he said he plans to participate in 2019 Sea Games in the Philippines.
"Next year in April there is Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast, Australia, as well as Asian Games in Jakarta in August.
"I have qualified for both games so next is Sea Games in the Philippines," said Rayzam from Keningau.
Asked how to bring in more young athletes in this State, Rayzam said there was a need for more competitions to be held here.
"This way we can uncover more new talents. I think there are many potential talents in Keningau, Tenom, Nabawan, Ranau and Sandakan but we need to hold more competitions," he said.
Sabah Umno Youth chief Yamani Hafez Musa who led the welcoming team said Rayzam had brought much pride to the State.
"While some said he (Rayzam) may have passed his prime years, he proved this untrue and showed that anyone can excel in their chosen field," said Yamani.
Eriyana said she actually missed the live shows and got to know about her husband's victory when somebody from Sabah National Sports Council congratulated her.
"I watched delayed telecast.. But I knew he was going to win because before leaving for a tournament, he is normally full of nerves but this time he was calm and confident," said the proud wife.