Good To See Everyone On Group Fitness Sessions, Says Ughelumba

- Youngster Calvin Ughelumba explains what his life now entails while following the Government's COVID-19 guidelines
- Development Squad players all participate in group fitness sessions online three times a week
- Ughelumba says it's nice to see his team-mates' faces on a regular basis during the group calls
- The talented defender also reflects on the Under-23s progress this season, across several competitions

As the country continues to adhere to Government guidance to remain indoors, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, City's players have been following programmes provided by the Club's sports science staff.

Ughelumba and his Under-23s team-mates take part in three group sessions a week - with all players logging into online video calls to exercise as a collective, despite not being able to meet up in person.

The young defender is also staying in touch with his colleagues outside of a professional environment, enjoying FaceTime calls or playing PlayStation games online with his closest friends at Leicester.  

"Obviously it’s a bit hard, you know," the 20-year-old told LCFC TV. "It’s just different because I’ve never experienced this. In my lifetime, I’ve never experienced something like this, so it’s a first.

"I’ve been coping alright, going for my daily exercise, but the social aspect of it is a bit hard because it just becomes repetitive. You miss seeing your friends, just having catch-up with someone face-to-face.

"My life basically revolves around being on the grass, so it’s a bit different being in such a small space and just doing the same thing every single day.

"Obviously, at football you do the same thing, but there’s different drills and there’s just that excitement of playing football.

"When you’re at home, all you can really do is go for a run and just come back home and repeat yourself, repeat yourself, and it gets a bit boring. Now, I’m just hoping for us to get back to normal.

"I text some of the boys and [use] FaceTime. We have a group gym session on Zoom, normally at 11am two or three times a week, so it’s just good to hear everyone’s voice and see people’s faces. 

"We’re trying to make up for the banter we’re missing! There’s a lot, but it’s just good to hear everyone’s voices and seeing faces.

"It’s just gym sessions you can do at home and, to be fair, it is quite good because if you apply yourself properly, it helps you. You feel it. 

"I’m on the PlayStation quite a bit too, it distracts me from what’s happening around me. I’ve been playing FIFA and GTA quite a bit as well. I just mix in between.

"I like NBA 2K20 as well, that’s a good game as well, so sometimes I play that and watch series mainly. I was watching something on BBC, it's called Snowfall and it's good. That’s what I’m hooked on now."

Despite being forced to find new ways to stay connected with friends and family, Ughelumba says he realises the importance of continuing to follow the guidance - and called on City fans to do the same. 

"Yes, of course, the NHS are doing a great job," he added. "I can imagine it’s not easy for them, having so many people come in and out of hospital.

"This is probably the busiest they’ll ever be and I just feel like we should all say thank you to the NHS. At the same time, we should help them, by staying indoors.

"If we stay at home, it prevents the virus from spreading and it’ll be easier to get back to normal if everyone stays at home. Please follow the guidelines and take care."

Before the suspension of Premier League 2 Division 1, City's youngsters were placed second in the top tier of Under-23s football, just three points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

As well as impressing in the league, Leicester also embarked further than any other Under-23s side in the Leasing.com Trophy, eventually losing out narrowly to Newport County.

Ughelumba believes the Foxes can take a great deal of pride from the experience of competing with - and beating - established Football League outfits such as Sunderland and Doncaster Rovers.

"I’m pleased with my performances, you always want to play well," he continued. "As a collective, we were really good. We were playing good football. We were winning lots of games.

"Obviously, we’d done well in the [Leasing.com Trophy], obviously it’s good, but we can’t really control anything. I think we ended up being one of the only Under-23s teams left in the competition.

"It’s a great achievement. Some of the boys, including myself, don’t play against league opposition often. It’s different and you get more fans, so the atmosphere was nice. It was a good experience."