Rashed made the comments at the online APC Executive Board meeting held this week.

"This pandemic has been the greatest challenge that our world has seen for decades and the economic effects of it are likely to last far longer than the immediate health crisis," he said.

"All funders of sport have huge pressure on their budgets, particularly in developing nations, but in future funding decisions, we call for the equal treatment of para-athletes with their Olympic counterparts.

"Challenge, and how we respond to it, is part of the identity of the Paralympic Movement. 

"This meeting has heard many stories of how our National Paralympic Committees and athletes have responded to the pandemic challenge. 

"They have remained positive and made the most of very difficult circumstances. 

"As countries slowly emerge from the measures put in place to combat the pandemic, it is really important that Para-athletes are supported to pick up where they left off. 

"That way they can continue to demonstrate that we are all equal and help to drive a more inclusive society."

Over the course of two days, the 14-strong Board received presentations from organisers of future events, including the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, now postponed to August 24 to September 5 2021. 

They also heard from the Organising Committees of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games and Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games. 

Reports were given from the five Asian sub-regions and the various APC sub-committees, and members discussed the next steps on the new APC strategic plan.

Finally, the Board approved Bahrain's bid to host the next Asian Youth Para Games in December 2021.

"The Asian Youth Para Games are one of the most important events for us for the future of our movement in the region," Rashed said.

"They should leave a legacy for the next generations by raising awareness and spreading a message of inclusion which will help grow the movement across the whole region."