PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – West Indies cricket captain Chris Gayle has expressed his condolences at the tragic death of Trinidad and Tobago’s boxing hero and world champion Jizelle Salandy.

The news of the boxer’s untimely passing reached New Zealand where the team is currently on tour and the left-handed batsman described the incident as sad and unfortunate.

“As fellow West Indians, we mourn her passing and express our sincerest condolences to her family and those in the boxing fraternity in the twin-island state T&T,” said Gayle.

Salandy, a multiple world light-middleweight champion, died Sunday morning after the Toyoto Yaris motor car she was driving smashed into a concrete pillar on the Beetham Highway near the city.

At the time of her death, she was undefeated in 17 fights and held eight international titles, including prestigious World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC) belts.

The T&T captain Daren Ganga and West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) CEO and president Dinanath Ramnarine also issued condolence statements.

“My teammates and I are deeply shocked at the sudden passing of one of our sporting colleagues Jizelle, who has brought international fame and glory to all citizens of our beloved country,” Ganga said.

“We ourselves have been highly motivated by her commitment, discipline and exemplary conduct during her short but brilliant career,” Ganga added.

Ramnarine also expressed his grief over the national loss and glorified Salandy’s contribution to sporting success at the tender age of 21.

“We are comforted by the fact that she has left a rich legacy worthy of emulation by all sportsmen and sportswomen,” said Ramnarine.

“On behalf of the members and executive of WIPA, I extend our deep-felt condolences to the family of the late Jizelle Salandy as well as to the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board on her sudden and tragic passing away.

The news of the death of this young, talented, World Boxing Champion from Trinidad and Tobago has filled us with much sadness, coming as it does just when she was at the pinnacle of her career,” Ramnarine said.

The funeral of the late boxing star Jizelle Salandy will take place today.