Alex de la Mar was conferred with the prestigious ICC Lifetime Achievement Award on Wednesday during a farewell lunch organized by the KNCB in his honour.

The announcement came through a video message by Andy Wright, the ICC Regional Development Manager - Europe, recognising his 39 years of service with the prestigious award, a distinction bestowed upon only a select few.

De la Mar, one of the longest-standing members of the KNCB, has witnessed the organisation’s remarkable journey. He began his career in 1986 at the KNCB, back when the headquarters was located on Willem de Zwijgerlaan street in The Hague.

Over the years, the organisation relocated several times, moving to Amstelveen, Zeist, two addresses in Nieuwegein, and finally back to Amstelveen. After packing up his office for each of these moves, De la Mar is now doing so one final time, marking the end of an extraordinary 39-year career with the KNCB.

From the KNCB nomination: 

“All in all, over a period of 40 years Alex has served all the KNCB  boards - and has been part of all important developments in Dutch cricket. We mention the following : the growing international ambitions and performances, starting with the organisation of the ICC Associates Trophy in the Netherlands in 1990, the participation in several ICC World Cups, a healthy national club league over the years with all its bigger and smaller troubles, the introduction of grass wickets in the Netherlands as from 1996 (now at 7 clubs), the regular accountability towards the ICC, the support for the many trips of the Dutch national team abroad, the growing interest for women's cricket, and so much more.”