Kiteboarding - an extreme sport which combines wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing, Paragliding and gymnastics - falls under the jurisdiction of World Sailing.

The governing body are seeking to protect the rights of all kiteboarding stakeholders by ensuring that events take place within the structure of the rules, while ensuring athletes are protected.

Under the terms of the MoU, the IKA will continue to be responsible for racing and first past the post disciplines of kiteboarding.

The GKA will be sanctioned to run World Championships and World Cup events in the kiteboarding expression performance disciplines of wave, strapless freestyle, big air and twintip-freestyle and obstacle events.

World Sailing can also authorise the GKA to allow other professional event organisations to run events in the expression disciplines on its behalf, as part of their special events agreement.

The IKA, as part of the MoU, have agreed not to run, organise or sanction world level expression performance events or competitions.

They will remain responsible for the pathway and development as well as events at continental level and below.

"I am delighted that the IKA and GKA have come together to agree a new united structure for the governance of kiteboarding," said Andy Hunt, World Sailing's chief executive.

"We look forward to working with both organisations to support the growth and development of this exciting and dynamic part of our sport."

It is claimed the three organisations will work together to actively promote the united disciplines of kiteboarding under World Sailing’s umbrella, while avoiding calendar conflicts.

IKA President Mirco Babini and GKA secretary general Jörgen Vogt both claimed the agreement would provide a boost to the sport and athletes, as a result of the harmonious approach.

Kiteboarding was briefly chosen to replace windsurfing on the Olympic programme for Rio 2016 in May 2012.

This decision was overturned amid fierce opposition from the sailing community just six months later.

The IKA claimed at a meeting in May that the International Olympic Committee "wishes to see a medal for kiteboarding" at Tokyo 2020.

World Sailing President Carlo Croce announced yesterday that the programme of events would remain unchanged at the Games in the Japanese capital, however.

Opposition to kiteboarding remains among some in the sailing community, with Canada’s Paul Henderson standing for the presidency of the governing body, mainly on an anti-kiteboarding platform.

Denmark's Kim Andersen is also challenging Croce, with the election due to take place tomorrow in Barcelona.