MPs proved themselves weak against the power of businessmen as they lost 9-1 in a six-a-side football game in aid of charity at St Aloysius College yesterday evening.

The game, organised by Vida magazine to collect money for the building of a new playground at St Joseph Children’s Home in Zabbar, was kicked off by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition leader Joseph Muscat.

Both appealed to the public to donate.

The children at the home currently spend their free time in a rundown playing field with rusted swings, the seats of which are disintegrating.

The Works Department of the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs recently offered to help the crèche renovate this yard.

They will be providing architectural services and the required structural works for the building of a safe and modern play area.

However, the Dominican nuns still face several expenses to cover most of the materials and equipment required to complete the project.

“We are just a few days away from the world’s largest sports event – the FIFA World Cup 2010 – and we thought it fit that while we are enjoying the best of the beautiful game we also make sure that children can enjoy their games too,” said Richard Muscat Azzopardi, Vida managing editor and a spokesperson for Focused Knowledge Ltd, the publishers of the magazine. Donations can be sent by cheque, payable to ‘The Sisters of St. Joseph Home, Zabbar’, to Vida World Cup Charity Appeal, Vida Magazine, Pitkali Road, Attard, ATD 2214.

They can also be deposited directly in The Sisters of St Joseph Home, Zabbar’s charity account – 042 05 1243 051 (HSBC) through online banking or at a bank branch.