Massimo Dighe (centre) has been appointed into a key role by World Sailing ©Getty Images

Massimo Dighe has been appointed as Para World Sailing Manager by the sport's governing body.

The Italian has been handed the role by World Sailing at a key time after the sport was axed from the Paralympic schedule ahead of Tokyo 2020.

It means that the Paralympic regatta at Rio 2016 this year will be the last on the grandest stage of all unless reinstatement efforts are successful.

World Sailing have targeted the 2024 Paralympics for that to happen, with Dighe set to be central to their ambitions.

The London 2012 Paralympic sailor will be responsible for promoting and developing Para-sailing and will develop relationships with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

He will also help to integrate Para-sailing into the Sailing World Cup.

"The International Paralympic Committee's decision to remove sailing from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games rocked the sport," said Dighe.

"Since then World Sailing and the Para World Sailing Committee have been working hard to get sailing back into the Paralympic programme.

"There is a lot more work to be done to achieve the result and get sailing back where it belongs and I'm excited about tackling the challenge ahead.”

Restoring sailing to the Paralympic programme is a key aim
Restoring sailing to the Paralympic programme is a key aim ©Getty Images

World Sailing President Carlo Croce, another Italian who has announced he will seek re-election at the body's Annual Conference in Barcelona in November, has also made Paralympic reinstatement a priority.

The IPC opted to remove the sport after ruling it did not fulfil minimum criteria for worldwide reach.

This dictates that "only team sports widely and regularly practiced in a minimum of 24 countries and three IPC regions will be considered for inclusion in the Paralympic Games and for individual sports a minimum of 32 countries in three IPC regions".

World Sailing's chief executive Andy Hunt backed the appointment of Dighe, who will start work at World Sailing's Executive Office in July.

"Massimo continues to be an excellent ambassador for Paralympic sailing, demonstrating passion and commitment for both development and reinstatement back into the Paralympic Games," said Hunt.

"The appointment of Massimo is a further sign of our commitment to ensure that sailing is reinstated in the 2024 Paralympic Games.

"Massimo will play a pivotal role within World Sailing's Executive Office and I look forward to him joining the team."

The announcement comes with the World Para Sailing Championships beginning in The Netherlands today.