Day one of the 2009 BT Paralympic World Cup saw action from the women's GB wheelchair basketball team, with stars of the future emerging but excruciatingly close results for the women in both their matches.
Coach Garry Peel's women's squad, featuring five tonnage players in their first ever international match, were heading their game against Mexico going into the fourth quarter but a late surge from the Mexicans saw them finish the pool match 41 points to GB's 37.
The match featured 14-year-old Maddie Thompson, the youngest player for two decades to compete for GB, who had a solid game and in summary Helen Freeman, competing in her fourth BT Paralympic World Cup, said, "It was a great match although the result was disappointing, however it's a great experience to take forward to the future matches."
Later that day the GB women again came close to victory, this time against China, but narrowly missed out with a score of 46-48.
The BT Paralympic World Cup is the first major multi-sport elite disability event to be staged in the UK ahead of London 2012 and major international stars and a strong British contingent are expected.
The competition is staged in Manchester from 20-25 May, with over 400 competitors from over 31 countries scheduled to compete.
Athletes compete in four sports at world class competition venues in Manchester: wheelchair basketball and athletics hosted at the Manchester Regional Arena, swimming at the Manchester Aquatics Centre and track cycling at the Manchester Velodrome.
Tickets for the BT Paralympic World Cup are now still sale and can be purchased via the event website: www.btparalympicworldcup.com or the ParalympicsGB website: www.paralympics.org.uk or by calling 0844 8471622. Tickets cost £3 per session.
BT is the title sponsor of the Paralympic World Cup; the sponsorship runs up to and includes the 2012 BT Paralympic World Cup.
