International marine sport, leisure and event logistics provider GAC Pindar is set to back World Sailing’s bid for the sport to be reinstated to the Paralympic Games programme after agreeing to sign a long-term partnership with the body.
GAC Pindar and World Sailing have signed a memorandum of understanding to enter into a four-year partnership, which will run until the end of 2020.
The deal comes after World Sailing earlier this week published its Para World Sailing Strategic Plan for 2017 to 2020, which will aim to reinstate sailing on to the events programme for the 2024 Paralympics.
Sailing was removed from the Tokyo 2020 programme in January 2015 after the International Paralympic Committee deemed that the sport did not meet criteria for worldwide reach laid out in its handbook.
The strategic plan has four main goals: to increase worldwide participation to 40 nations on four continents by the end of 2020; expand competition, female and youth participation; deliver effective marketing and communications to increase engagement with para sailors and fans; and to ensure a sound governance framework.
GAC Pindar will support World Sailing’s efforts and has been named an official partner of the body in the marine logistics and shipping sector.
The two parties will offer services to national governing bodies that will aim to reduce costs and the environmental impact of logistical practices such as the shipping of equipment to events.
GAC Pindar will also support the transportation of Paralympic equipment to next year’s Para World Championship and Sailing World Cup Hyeres events.
“GAC Pindar's experience and world-class expertise in the marine sector will prove invaluable for World Sailing and its members,” World Sailing chief executive Andy Hunt said. “In partnership with GAC we will work towards a sustainable, long-term future for the sport that benefits our MNAs (Member National Authorities), class associations, members and our partners.”