The Director General, National Sports Commission, Mallam Alhassan Yakmut says the Super Eagles 0-0 draw with the Sihlangu Semnikati of Swaziland in the first leg of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier played at the Somhlolo National Stadium, Lobamba on Friday night is a good start for the Nigerian side.

Yakmut, who was speaking over the weekend at the walking and jogging exercise organized by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, FCT chapter,  however added that he expects the Eagles to finish up the Swaziland team in the second leg billed for the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

“I think it is a good take-off, it’s much better than losing and since it is an away match, it gives you room to correct your mistakes and get the drive in the second leg. I’ve always told people that football is a global culture now and we can’t afford to underrate any country .”

The Plateau State born sports administrator led several other sports personalities through the walking and jogging event advised sports writers to participate in regular exercise to keep their body fit.

The 2015 FCT SWAN Week, according to chairman, Kayode Adeniyi is a week-long event and it will continue on Monday with table tennis. Wednesday will feature two seminars which will focus on Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the future of the women football league in Nigeria. “Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the future of our women football league are two very important issues hence our focus on them. We expect to have Mallam Alhassan Yakmut present a paper on the Rio Games while the Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League, Mrs. Dilichukwu Onyedinma will present a paper on the future of the women football league in Nigeria. Both events are billed for Wednesday, 18th November 2015 at the press center of the Abuja National Stadium.”

The 2015 edition of FCT SWAN Week would be rounded off on Thursday, 19th November 2015, with a Gala and Award Night where members who distinguished themselves during the course of the year would be honored.

Other dignitaries present at the Walking and Jogging exercise were the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (FCT chapter), Paul Ella Abechi, FCT Director of Sports, Musa Alim , NFF Board Member, Mrs. Dilichukwu  Onyewdinma, FCT FA chairman, Musa Tale, Chairman of Beach Volleyball Commission, Musa Nimrod and NFF Assistant Director (Technical), Siji Lagunju.