Narayana Ramachandran, the president of the World Squash Federation, has expressed his disappointment after the sport missed out on a recommendation for the 2020 Olympic Games.

On Monday, the Tokyo organising committee gave their backing to baseball/softball, karate, skateboard, sports climbing and surfing to be added to the programme for the Games.

It is a second disappointment for squash after losing out to wrestling in a vote in September 2013 to be included at the event.

The sport was given a second opportunity to be included in the Olympics after being named on a shortlist for the local organising committee, but bosses have again been left frustrated.

"I am utterly devastated on behalf of our great sport that our dream of taking part in the Tokyo Games cannot now be realised," Ramachandran said in a statement.

"I don't believe we could have done more to get our message across to both the Tokyo 2020 Games hosts and the IOC of how squash could bring something special as an addition to the programme.

"I know I speak on behalf of the millions of squash players around the world for whom the opportunity of seeing their sport participate in the Olympics has been an absolute priority – and, like me, they will be heartbroken.

"However, this is not the end for squash. Our sport, played by vast numbers week in and week out, flourishes at every level from recreational to events around the world. 

"We will go from strength to strength while we continue to target participation at a future date in the Games."