ARG - Maradona spends big at Manu's charity auction

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BUENOS AIRES (FIBA World Championship) - Manu Ginobili has raised more than £35,000 for his children's foundation with an auction of sporting memorobilia in Buenos Aires.

Ginobili's national team coach Sergio Hernandez and team-mate Fabricio Oberto were among the bidders, but it was former football star Diego Maradona who flashed the most cash, spending over £17,000.

Ginobili, who along with Hernandez and Oberto will soon be bound for the FIBA World Championship in Japan, will put the money towards a new home for children in his home city of Bahia Blanca.

Maradona bought a number of items in the sale. He began by snapping up one of Lionel Messi's Argentina shirt for £600, outbidding Bocu Juniors president Mauricio Macri to secure the item.

Maradona then outbit Manu's wife for a pair of Tim Duncan's sneakers, paying £1,400.

He also bought a package - including travel, tickets, and dinner with the players - to see the Spurs in action in the NBA.

"This is a present for my daughters", he said.

Maradona also bought a basketball signed by the NBA title-winning San Antonio Spurs squad from 2003.

"It has the autograph of the 'Admiral' David Robinson!" Maradona said. "It is incredible."

A director from sports goods company Nike spent almost £900 on one of Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers jerseys, while Ginobili's own Spurs jersey fetched almost £3,500.

At one point, Maradona grabbed the microphone and goaded a warehouse director into buying one of Ginobili's Argentina jerseys for £2,600.

Oberto bought a signed replica of Maradona's shirt from the 1986 World Cup in Mexico for £5,500.

"It was to help the children," he said. "It was a good reason. Also, Diego dedicated some words to me that filled me of pride."

Hernandez, Oberto and Ginobili begin their preparations for the FIBA World Championship this weekend.

PA Sport