Pancalli made the comments in a New Year's message published on the CIP website. 

The majority of sport was suspended worldwide when the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March.

Pancalli addressed the difficulties caused by the global health crisis in his message.

"What we are leaving behind has been a very hard, terrible year," he said. 

"The pandemic has put a strain on all of us and forced us to identify new strategies to cope with the many difficulties that have gradually arisen."

The Paralympic Games in Tokyo was one of the events to be rescheduled as a result of the pandemic, with competition now set to take place from August 24 to September 5. 

Pancalli suggested the successful staging of the Games, which are still shrouded in uncertainty, would be a highlight of the upcoming year.

"But now we want to look to 2021 with optimism and hope," he said. 

"We all need it badly. 

"The dream is that the Tokyo Paralympic Games could represent the light at the end of the tunnel and the celebration of a humanity rediscovered in the sign of sport. 

"Italy will arrive at this appointment with a great desire to do well. 

"We have a good team, compact, united and strong.

"Before the pandemic we had achieved an almost historic result by qualifying 115 athletes. 

"A number that I hope will grow further."

Italy has enjoyed success at the Summer Paralympics, earning 165 gold medals, 193 silver and 211 bronze since the first Games in Rome in 1960.

This places the country 12th in the all-time medal table. 

Italy achieved 10 gold medals, 14 silver and 15 bronze at Rio 2016 and is also set to host the 2026 edition of the Winter Paralympics in Milan-Cortina.