WHILE the world was glued to television screens or gathered at fan parks during the World Cup, the World Bank Group's Staff Association in Washington, US, held a foosball tournament to raise funds for charity.

The tournament raised $2000 (R15 100) in cash, which was sent to the bank's Pretoria branch for the staff to donate to a local charity organisation.

Yesterday, the bank's country director for Botswana, Lesotho, Mauritius, Namibia Madagascar and Swaziland, Ruth Kagia, said it identified the Atteridgeville Kingdom Life Children's Centre as the deserving organisation.

She presented the cheque, food, toys and clothing to the centre that caters for 40 needy children between the ages of four and 18, some of whom are Aids orphans.

Bank staff from Pretoria spent part of yesterday mingling with the children and staff of the centre. They braved the chilly morning weather to challenge the centre's residents in a soccer match.

Excited founder and centre director Nomalizo Magoba, 66, welcomed the donation, saying the bank's staff "adopted us over a year ago. They donated furniture and a lot of other things needed at the centre".

Magoba said a cash donation of R50000 was made last year after the two parties forged a partnership.

"I started by operating in my three-bedroom house with six needy children from the same family in 2000.

"The number increased to 15 and at the time I was only receiving social grants for the first six. Today the centre is registered for 38 children," she said.