World's top four wheelchair basketball teams to contest BT Paralympic World Cup

Leading international Wheelchair Basketball players will descend on Manchester in May, as the top four male teams in the world have today confirmed they will be competing in the 2010 BT Paralympic World Cup.

Paralympic champions Australia will be defending their BT Paralympic World Cup title, with Paralympic silver medallists Canada, bronze medallists GB and European champions Italy all fielding world class teams.

The event will prove a crucial test to the teams as they look ahead to the IWBF World Championships in Birmingham in July and GB’s Jon Hall is relishing the opportunity.

“Because of the teams that are going to be competing in Manchester it will be a brilliant event,” said Hall.

“We are leading up to the World Championships with this tournament and it’s the first stepping-stone for us this season. We go straight from the event in Manchester to two tournaments in the States, so it’s a really important time for us.”

GB men’s coach Murray Treseder added, “The BT Paralympic World Cup is always a great tournament for us to compete in, having some of the best teams from around the world to play against in our home country is always a good experience for the men.

“With the World Championships in Britain this year and then on to 2012, this event is more and more important.”

International Wheelchair Basketball Federation President Maureen Orchard also believes this year’s BT Paralympic World Cup is a great opportunity for all teams ahead of the World Championships.