The Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence is inviting nominations for its 2011 Awards.

According to a press release awards will be given in the Arts and Letters, Science and Technology and Public and Civic Contributions categories in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) in April. The closing date for nominations is August 31.

The Sabga Awards, which include a gold medal valued TT$500,000 and a citation, have been presented on three occasions to 10 distinguished Caribbean persons since 2006.
They are the only awards which canvass the entire English-speaking Caribbean in three categories. Laureates include Trinida-dian film-maker Yao Ramesar, St Lucian poet Adrian Augier, Guyanese writer, poet and critic Professor David Dabydeen, Grenadian anatomical pathologist Professor Kathleen Coard, Guyanese Community Activist Annette Arjoon, Barbadian solar energy entrepreneur James Husbands and Guyanese Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Activist Sydney Allicock.

Nominations may be made by any person or institution in any of the categories and persons may nominate themselves. Nominations were initially the responsibility of the Country Nominating Com-mittees (CNCs) in Jamaica, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States in Guyana, Barbados and T&T. However, in order to democratize the process, it was decided that that call for nominations should be opened to the public and institutions.

The CNCs will still be able to nominate individuals; further, all nominations are submitted to the CNCs for assessment. Each country’s panel comprises prominent academics, professionals, cultural and religious personalities from each state. The nominations may be sent by hard copy or fax to the Programme Office, ANSA Centre, 9th Floor, TATIL building, 11 Maraval Road, St Clair, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago or to fax number 868-622-3941.