Sir Philip, a former wheelchair basketball player who represented Britain in five consecutive Paralympic Games between 1972 and 1988, admitted was particularly pleased to witness how much the sport has developed in recent decades - a fact illustrated with the World Championships taking place in the magnificent National Indoor Arena (NIA).

Sir Philip told insideworldparasport: "I’m excited to be here as it is a vivid reminder to me of when I played in the World Championships many years ago.

"But it is fantastic just to be here as a spectator to see how much the game has grown as wheelchair basketball is one of the greatest sports in the world.

"We are going to see that here over the next ten days and we are going to see that again in just over two years time at the London 2012 Paralympics.

"I know it is my sport so I might sound a little bias but wheelchair basketball really is the blue-ribbon event when it comes to Paralympic team sports.

"It is one of the oldest sports in the Paralympic Games, it attracts massive crowds and it really is just an exciting game for players and spectators so I’m very happy to see the 2010 World Championships come to this fantastic arena and build up the British public’s awareness of the sport ahead of London 2012."

Richard Callicott, the chairman of the local organising committee, added: "This event is huge for both Birmingham and the sport of wheelchair basketball.

"The reality is that bidding for world class events now is very competitive.

"We had to compete against Paris and Vancouver to get this event which but it is important that we did get it because we really do see this as a prelude to London 2012.

"London 2012 are here in person as we’ve got the competitions manager for wheelchair basketball for Paralympics working on this event to give her experience ahead of the Games so it really is a major part of the preparation for 2012."

Callicott claimed that the athletes from across 12 different nations are already enjoying their stay in Birmingham.

He said: "From what we’re being told by the athletes, and they soon tell you if they are not happy, they are very happy with everything from the accommodation and the venue through to the courts and the lighting.

"But despite all the years of preparation, there are still one or two things we might tinker with over the next few days as we haven’t got everything perfect just yet but I can say that we’re off to a very good start."

The same can be said of the Great Britain men’s team who took to the court shortly after the Opening Ceremony and secured a comprehensive win over 87-43 win over South Korea.

Jon Pollock top scored with 16 points while Ian Sagar heavily contributed to the score line with 14.

The women’s team however, suffered the narrowest of defeats in the only other match of the day as they beaten 38-39 by the Netherlands.

Chèr Korver was the game’s top scorer with 14 points while Helen Freeman was the biggest point’s accumulator for the hosts with an impressive haul of 13. 

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