New Delhi: It was an altogether different experience for students of a vocational training school for poor children on Saturday as they received computer lessons from premier US basketball league players.

"It was really interesting. They taught us how to paint on the computer, some games and basic tools (of using the computer)," said an excited eight-year-old Ravi Kumar.

Like Kumar, there were over 50 children who interacted with the players from the National Basketball Association (NBA), who are here for five days for promoting the game.

Pat Garrity, Linton Johnson and Kyle Korver spent about two hours with the children at the Literacy India Centre in Neb Sarai in south Delhi.

"It was a wonderful experience and a different kind of job we are doing for the welfare of society. We want these children to continue their education and be self-reliant," said Korver.

But for many children - in the age group of 5-10 - the height of the basketball players, over seven feet, was more intriguing than the computer games.

"I have never seen men tall like them. I really enjoyed talking to them and explained them about my studies," Chinku, a student at the learning centre, told IANS.

To support the centre, the NBA announced a sum of $50,000. The money would be used for providing vocational training to children and adolescent girls who are living on the streets and have dropped out of school.

"The centre aims to enhance skill development, introduce livelihood package for income generation and helps to groom children to become self-reliant," said Indrani Singh, the head of the centre. IANS