By Mike Burnett BBC Sport in Manchester

The Paralympic World Cup kicked off in style on Thursday with basketball at the Amaechi Centre and who better to oversee it than John Amaechi himself?

The British basketball star and former NBA player was on hand to cheer on Great Britain and cast his experienced eye over proceedings.

"I know a lot of the players well, so it's good to see them in action," the England captain told World Cup Diary.

And at 6ft 9in, he certainly does not have to worry about a restricted view.

Prince Edward also popped in at lunchtime to catch the British men's 45-39 win against Germany.

The Earl of Wessex is a patron of the British Paralympic Association

The patron of the British Paralympic Association looked to be enjoying himself, along with a very vocal crowd of basketball fans.

His only concern? "Why isn't this on the TV," he asked a BBC employee.

The answer, of course, is that it will be. The Earl of Wessex and anyone else can watch all the highlights on BBC Two on Sunday 22 May at 1500 BST.

Wheelchair basketball was not the only attraction at the Amaechi Centre.

In the car park was the Conquest 850, the first mass-produced motorbike for wheelchair users.

Well, actually, it was a very wide tricycle, but impressive nonetheless with Harley-Davidson handlebars and a very 'Easy Rider' feel to it.