Samaai stresses the importance of the Commonwealth Games for athlete development

Speaking to SABC Sport, Samaai, who is now a teacher and full-time athletics coach at Hoërskool Jan van Riebeeck in Cape Town, said the Games remain highly relevant and continue to provide young athletes with valuable international exposure.

The Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 2 August. 

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) is expected to announce a team of 111 athletes on 24 June at Olympic House in Johannesburg.

Samaai believes South Africans often focus too much on medal expectations instead of using the Games as an opportunity to develop future stars and prepare them for bigger international competitions. 

"It is a very important competition, and my idea of the Commonwealth, as well as Athletics South Africa and SASCOC's views, are completely different. My view is that the Commonwealth Games is a platform for development – a platform where we can send athletes coming through the ranks who will be there for the next ten years," said Samaai

READ: Hezekiel Sepeng says South African athletes still have room to improve

"We need to be able to send those types of athletes to give them the exposure of what it feels like at a major championship like the Commonwealth Games. That is what the Commonwealth Games is supposed to be about in terms of developing athletes – sending a huge group of athletes to the Commonwealth Games so that they can get that exposure."

"However, what we want as ASA, as well as SASCOC, is medals, and we don't focus on development; we don't focus on the up-and-coming athletes. So where do they go? We can't send them to the African Champs because we saw this year they only select senior champions. Where does development come in? What's below the African Champs? Nothing."

The 35-year-old African long jump record holder says the Commonwealth Games offer an ideal opportunity to expose inexperienced and lower-ranked athletes to international competition.

According to Samaai, there are very few development-focused events available today, making the Games an important stepping stone for young athletes looking to progress to the highest level.

He believes South Africa should use the event to give emerging talent a chance to compete against quality opposition and gain the experience needed to succeed in future championships.

The World Championships bronze medallist reflected on some of his most memorable moments at the Commonwealth Games, where he enjoyed success representing South Africa on the international stage.

Samaai won bronze medals at the Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and says those experiences played a significant role in his career.

Having represented South Africa at multiple Commonwealth Games, the multiple African and South African long jump champion also shared a message of encouragement for the athletes travelling to Scotland next month.

Samaai urged them to embrace the experience, enjoy the atmosphere, and make the most of the opportunity to represent their country on a major international stage.