7-a-side Football In Paralympics Wc
7-a-side football has been introduced to the 2010 BT Paralympic World Cup as the event looks to increase its remit to be more inclusive of different sports.
The 7-a-side game is an adaption of the sport for athletes with cerebral palsy and invites teams from Great Britain, the Netherlands, USA and the Republic of Ireland to compete.
Football 7-a-side joins Wheelchair Basketball, Swimming and Athletics as the four sports the athletes will compete in at the World Cup.
Following a review of the event and to enable other Paralympic sports to receive key competition and exposure in the build up to London 2012, Track Cycling will not feature in 2010.
Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given and Burnley FC players Wade Elliott and Michael Duff were at a press conference to help to introduce the event into the Paralympic World Cup which will be held in Manchester from 25th to 31st May.
The BT Paralympic World Cup is the largest annual international multi-sport competition in elite disability sport.
Over 400 athletes from 31 different countries are expected to participate at the Manchester Regional Arena and Manchester Aquatics Centre.
The BBC, the official televised partner to the event, will broadcast highlights and live coverage from the Manchester Aquatics Centre on 31st May 2010.
BT’s four year sponsorship runs up to and includes the 2012 BT Paralympic World Cup.
However, UK Sport has this year withdrawn funding for the event after a review of their investment for major events, which now sits with individual sports rather than multi sport competitions.
