Salandy honoured with highest award
By Carolyn Kissoon (T&T Express)
World female boxing champion Jizelle Salandy will be honoured with the country's highest award- the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago- at the 2009 Independence Day National Awards this evening.
But her relatives claimed yesterday that they were not aware of the achievement and were not invited to the event.
Her sister, Josanne Salandy, was stunned by the news when the Express visited their home at Hickling Village, Fyzabad.
"I don't know anything about that. Jizelle getting an award and nobody told us? That is my sister, my blood sister, and I should have been told. The last time she got an award I went with her to collect it at the President's House," she said.
Boxing coach Buxo Potts will receive the award on behalf of Salandy.
"I was invited to the event and I knew about it. I believe I would be collecting it," he said.
Potts said Salandy's adopted father, Curtis Joseph, was also invited to the function.
In 2007 Jizelle Salandy was awarded the Chaconia medal (Gold) in the field of sport.
"She felt really good when she got that award. I still remember how we got dressed up and went to the function. It was an honour for Jizelle and I believe if she is to get this award then her family should have it, not a stranger," Josanne Salandy said.
Salandy said five months ago, when her sister was awarded the First Citizens 2008 Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, she was invited to collect the plaque.
"After that event, no one has really contacted me on anything else about Jizelle," she said.
Jizelle Salandy was killed when her black Toyota Yaris car crashed into a concrete pillar along the Beetham Highway, Port of Spain in January.
"We have suffered a tragic loss and now the authorities are treating us like nobody. This really hurts me and I know my sister would have wanted a family member to collect her award," Salandy said.
Potts said: "I feel good that my hard work and time invested in Jizelle has been rewarded. This is a young humble woman who has risen to the highest level in the world. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to her development."