More than 1,000 athletes are due to compete in the Australian city, the largest field in the 16-year history of the Games.

Ten sports are on the programme - athletics, basketball, cricket, cycling, futsal, rowing, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo and tennis - and there will be 200 medal events.

A week of competition will conclude on October 19.

The event is the largest sports gathering to be staged in Queensland since the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

"This is a truly international event, with elite athletes with an intellectual impairment going for gold and the glory of champion status in their particular categories and sports," said Smith with 10 days to go.

"Australia is fielding the largest team with 150 athletes competing, whilst France will have a team of 83 athletes, Japan has 57 athletes heading to Brisbane, Russia are sending a team of 51 athletes and the Czech Republic team will comprise 16 of their best INAS athletes.

"It is a fierce but friendly competition, but make no mistake, these athletes are exceptional and well worth coming to watch.

"Many athletes have made their international debut with the Global Games and gone on to win Paralympic titles.

"Global Games 2019 is an important lead-up event for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics with swimming, athletics and table tennis featuring qualifying events for eligible athletes."

Teams will begin arriving in Brisbane tomorrow for training sessions and to get familiar with the city and venues. 

Tickets for the action cost $AUD10 (£5/$7/€6) per day, per sport, with children under six going free.