There is no doubt that the BT Paralympic World Cup provides a significant stepping stone for many athletes aiming to compete in London and beyond

The Chairperson of the London 2012 Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has welcomed Football 7-a-side to the event for the first time and says this is a crucial opportunity for athletes ahead of 2012.

"There is no doubt that the BT Paralympic World Cup provides a significant stepping stone for many athletes aiming to compete in London and beyond. It is a place where they can raise their game, go beyond their personal best and test themselves against strong international opposition, providing them with vital preparation and a great showcase of sport for spectators," said Lord Coe.

Athletes will compete at world class venues in Manchester: Wheelchair Basketball, Football 7-a-side and Athletics at the Manchester Regional Arena and Swimming at the Manchester Aquatics Centre.

Sir Philip Craven, IPC President, added: “On behalf of the International Paralympic Committee, I want to welcome athletes to the 2010 BT Paralympic World Cup. I anticipate fair contests with skill, speed, and the joy of participation in the true spirit of Paralympic Sport. Your training has brought you here, and in each of your results you will experience your own triumph.”

Suzi Williams, BT Group Marketing and Brand Director, said, “The Paralympics is absolutely at the heart of BT‘s London 2012 involvement. That is why we are so passionate about the BT Paralympic World Cup here in Manchester. In year two of our involvement and with South Africa just around the corner, I'm delighted to see the introduction of Football 7-a-side to our programme. There is nothing more important than supporting elite Paralympic sport on home soil and it’s a privilege to be welcoming athletes from all over the world for seven days of fantastic competition.”

British athletes will make up a large part of the contingent of nearly 300 athletes. For the first time this year, a team challenge has been introduced which sees Great Britain take on teams from the Americas, Europe and the Rest of the World, with athletes competing for the overall BT Paralympic World Cup trophy.

The BBC, the official televised partner to the event, will broadcast live from the Manchester Aquatics Centre on Monday, 31 May 2010 on BBC Television.

Tickets for the BT Paralympic World Cup are now on sale and can be purchased via the event website: www.btparalympicworldcup.com or by calling +44 844 8471622. Tickets are priced at £6 per session.

The BT Paralympic World Cup is sanctioned by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Cerebral Palsy International Sports & Recreation Association (CPISRA) and the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) and supported by BT, ParalympicsGB, the FA, Manchester City Council and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

The event schedule will see Athletics on 25 May, Football 7-a-side on 26-29 May and Wheelchair Basketball on 27-30 May, all at the Manchester Regional Arena and Swimming at the Manchester Aquatics Centre on 31 May.