Sailing had featured at the Paralympics in every Games between Sydney 2000 and Rio 2016 but in 2015 it was announced it was being dropped for Tokyo 2020.

Last year, it failed in a bid to return for Paris 2024.

Sailing was axed, along with football seven-a-side, for the Games in the Japanese capital because the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) claimed it could not fulfil their minimum criteria for worldwide reach.

Badminton and taekwondo were included for the first time in their place.

"It was unfortunate that Parasailing was removed from the Paralympics before my tenure, but during my time this has been among my priorities to ensure that we put in place a strong Parasailing structure with the goal of once again being part of the Paralympic Games," Andersen said in a message released as part of his election campaign.

"With our new 2020-2023 strategy for Parasailing, which shows how World Sailing will continue to grow, promote and develop all Para disciplines worldwide I believe that we have a strong foundation to make our case to the IPC.

"Parasailing has a unique capacity to include people from all ages and abilities."

Andersen added: "Alongside encouragement to MNAs (Member National Associations) to make Parasailing more inclusive and welcoming at all levels domestically.

"Positive steps have been made over the past few years with the Parasailing Development Programmes to increase participation by 30 per cent.

"Furthermore, with our strong links to the IPC we have already began discussions to getting back into the Paralympic programme for 2028.

"The last four years as World Sailing President have been among the best as I have had the opportunity to make positive change and leave a strong legacy for future generations of sailors that includes among others launching and implementing many good initiatives, including working with MNAs to expand Parasailing."

Andersen, elected World Sailing President in 2017, is being challenged by three other candidates – China’s Quanhai Li, Uruguay’s Scott Perry and Spain’s Gerardo Seeliger.

They have also all pledged to get sailing back into the Paralympic Games.

"It is a critical task of World Sailing to reinstate Parasailing in the Paralympics," Li said.

"The new Executive Committee must pro-actively coordinate with the International Paralympic Organisation (sic) to further understand the entry standards and requirements.

"I will continue to improve the development plans for the disabled athletes, find appropriate ways to encourage more athletes to participate in the sport and support the regions to host more Parasailing events.

"We would like to encourage more countries and regions to participate and address this in the services plans, in this way it will be easier for the countries and regions that are not active in Parasailing to be involved."

Perry claimed the fact he has donated two boats to help start a Parasailing programme in Uruguay is a sign of his commitment to the sport getting back into the Paralympics.

"Sailing is particularly suited for disabled athletes," he said.

"It is one of the very few sports which can accommodate almost every disability classification. Parasailing does not have any age restrictions.

"Parasailing is practiced by both genders in competition with each other; all Para sailing events are open.

"Perhaps uniquely in some classes Para-sailors regularly compete with able sailors."

Seeliger, meanwhile, vowed to ensure that MNAs are given the resources to make Parasailing a key part of their programmes.

"We need to favour appreciation of Paralympic events by making them more accessible, and popular," he said.

"World Sailing needs to help all our MNAs to have parasailing programmes.

"Governing organisations needed to make sure our Para sailors get back to the Paralympics."

The first round of voting for the World Sailing President is due to open on Friday (October 9) with the winner scheduled to be announced at a virtual conference on November 1.