Goalball is the one Paralympic sport to have seen its award for 2009-2013 drop in today's annual funding review by UK Sport, with the figure going from £655,553 ($1.03 million) to £502,453 ($796,030).

Wheelchair curling is the big loser in the winter Paralympic arena, seeing its 2006-2010 figure of £445,000 ($705,006) drop to £233,800 ($354,562) for the 2010-2014 cycle leading to the Sochi Games.

But disability skiing has had its funding level marginally increased from £205,000 ($325,000) to £268,000 ($425,000).

Explaining the reduced funding for goalball, UK Sport's chief executive Liz Nicholl said: "Its performances at world level this year were very disappointing, despite having home advantage.

"The sport is also struggling in terms of athlete numbers and high class coaching support, but it will still have funding to see it through to 2012."

Nicholl added that changes would have to be made within wheelchair curling following a relatively unsuccessful showing at the Vancouver Paralympics.

"Having been at the Vancouver Paralympics I know they were very disappointed in their performance," Nicholl said.

"There is a need for some changes in the squad.

"But the Paralympic curlers will be able to access additional support from the investment to the able-bodied curlers as staff and facilities are going to be more closely integrated."

The overall Lottery investment in Paralympic summer sports for 2009-2013 has fallen from £47,944,236 ($75,957,279) to £47,791,136 ($75,714,725), although all 18 sports other than goalball have had their funding level maintained.

The total figure for winter Paralympics has fallen from £650,000 ($1.02 million) in 2006-2010 to £501,800 ($795,000) in 2010-2014.

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