World Para Sports appoints Massimo Dighe as Deputy Director

Newly created position to play key role in ensuring each sport continues to thrive after achieving independence from the IPC 23 Jun 2022
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A photo collage of nine pictures each one showing a World Para Sport
ⒸGetty Images/OIS/World Para Sports
By IPC and World Para Sports

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has appointed Massimo Dighe PLY as the new World Para Sports Deputy Director.

A Paralympian who represented Italy in sailing competing in the sonar class at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Dighe worked for six years (2016-2022) at World Sailing as Para World Sailing Manager. 

In his role, Dighe was in charge of the integration of Para sailing into the World Sailing structure and events, as well as the development and promotion of the sport. 

Dighe will join the IPC on 1 July 2022. In the newly created position of Deputy Director, Dighe will play a key role in guiding and further developing the World Para Sports to ensure each sport continues to thrive after achieving independence from the IPC. Dighe will be reporting to World Para Sports Managing Director Christian Holtz.

On the appointment of Dighe, Holtz said: “Massimo Dighe joins us in a very important moment of the governance reform of the IPC. Following the approval of the revised IPC Constitution at the General Assembly in December, 2021, we are currently preparing the transfer of four Para snow sports and planning the transfer of the remaining six World Para Sports into independence. 

“Massimo will bring invaluable experience to our team. Having gone through the integration of Para sailing into World Sailing, the World Para Sports will benefit from his knowledge and experience, and as a Paralympian, Massimo will ensure that the interests of the athletes are well represented in our processes.”

World Para Sports Deputy Director Dighe said: “I am honoured to have the opportunity to join the IPC and World Para Sports. I feel a lot of excitement and responsibility to be part of the organisation during this crucial process. It is a diverse group of sports and each one has its own characteristics that must be considered. My utmost priority is to ensure they continue to thrive in terms of competition, whilst also recognising the importance of social and inclusive aspects. I cannot wait to work with the team to make this happen.

“As a Paralympian I recognise how important it is the role of an international federation behind you in order to achieve your results. Working at World Sailing I was part of the process that led to the inclusion of Para sailing into their structure. I am familiar with the different challenges involved, as well as the opportunities that this process brings to make sports more sustainable in participation, competition and financial terms, providing more opportunities for athletes and membership.”