Welcome to Dev's Digest, Sky Sports' flagship column where Dev Trehan shares exclusive scoops and highlights the most significant moments for British South Asians in the world of football. This month, Sky Sports News has obtained exclusive confirmation that veteran defender Mal Benning will be honoured with the prestigious Football Pioneer Award at the upcoming Asian Football Awards ceremony.
Benning’s milestone career moment arrived on Valentine's Day last season when he chalked up his 500th professional appearance – a landmark that only a handful of British South Asians have ever reached in English football. That appearance underscored a journey that began in the youth ranks of Walsall under the guidance of Dean Smith during the 2012/13 campaign. After a brief loan spell at York City, Benning secured a permanent move to Mansfield Town in 2015, where he quickly became a fan favourite.
Affectionately dubbed "Sir Mal" by the Stags supporters, Benning amassed more than 250 games for Mansfield, even finding the net against bitter rivals Chesterfield in April 2018. His consistency and leadership earned him legendary status at the club. In the summer of 2021, he transferred to Port Vale, continuing his steady climb up the English football ladder.
Ironically, one of Benning’s most memorable moments came against his former side. In the League Two play‑off final at Wembley, Port Vale triumphed 3‑0 over Mansfield, with Benning scoring the final goal of the match.
The celebration that followed was as much about the victory as it was about the symbolic closure of a chapter in his career. What truly amplified the significance of the occasion was Benning’s post‑match interview. Speaking to Sky Sports, he emphasized the broader impact of his achievement for the Sikh community and for South Asians across the sport.
"I don’t care that it’s me – it could have been anyone – but for the Sikh community, as well as South Asians in football, that was a massive step," he said. Co‑commentator Jobi McAnuff echoed those sentiments, noting Benning’s long‑standing role as a trailblazer. "He has certainly been a pioneer and someone who has been flying the flag for many, many years," McAnuff remarked. "It’s really great to see him get his day, and against his former club – it always seems to be the way – he pops up with the goal.
He was fantastic. He’s come back into the team and he’s taken his opportunity – it’s a big, big credit to Mal Benning." The sixth edition of the Asian Football Awards will be staged in London on 29 September, promising to shine a spotlight on the contributions of South Asian athletes, coaches and administrators. In other news, Bangladesh international Hamza Choudhury enjoyed a dream debut for Sheffield United, helping the Blades secure a thrilling 3‑2 victory over Bolton Wanderers on the final day of the transfer window.
Choudhury slotted straight into the starting XI at right‑back and completed the full 90 minutes, just a day after finalising his permanent move from Leicester City, ending a 21‑year association with the Foxes. During his time at Leicester, Choudhury logged 166 senior appearances and was part of the squad that lifted the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history in 2021. He also contributed 34 league games and captained the side on several occasions as Leicester clinched the Sky Bet Championship title in the 2023/24 season.
A poignant twist of fate saw Choudhury’s final appearance for Leicester come in a 2‑1 defeat to Burton Albion – the club where he made his EFL debut on loan more than a decade earlier. His move to Bramall Lane reunites him with former manager Chris Wilder, under whom he spent a loan spell at Watford in the 2022/23 season.
Choudhury earned his first cap for Bangladesh in March 2025, adding an international dimension to his already impressive résumé. Turning to women’s football, 22‑year‑old Pakistani forward Mariam Mahmood has etched her name into Wrexham’s history books by becoming the first female player to be added to the club’s international honours board. Mahmood joins an elite list that includes club legends such as Joey Jones, Dai Davies and Kieffer Moore, and she follows in the footsteps of Neil Taylor – the only other British South Asian to be honoured on that board.
Taylor, a former full‑back for Aston Villa, Swansea and Middlesbrough, earned 43 caps for Wales after turning professional at Wrexham in 2007. Mahmood debuted for Pakistan during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers in Indonesia last year, one of nine British‑born players representing the Shaheens.
She has already netted three goals in six international outings and most recently featured for Pakistan at the FIFA Series in Ivory Coast in April. In the business arena, Amit Bhatia attended his first Liverpool match since his consortium secured a 38 percent stake in the club. Bhatia, the son‑in‑law of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, was invited by Fenway Sports Group principal owner John W Henry to watch Liverpool’s 2‑2 draw with Nottingham Forest at Anfield. The investment group, which includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co‑founder Eduardo Saverin, will see Bhatia take a seat on Liverpool’s board as vice‑chairman once the deal is ratified.
"It’s the biggest and the greatest football club in the world. To be associated with it in any way is the stuff of dreams," Bhatia told LFC TV. He added that the partnership comes with substantial responsibility, praising FSG’s stewardship over the past 16 years and expressing eagerness to contribute wherever needed.
These stories illustrate the growing influence of South Asian talent and entrepreneurship across all levels of the beautiful game. For more in‑depth features, video interviews and analysis, visit Sky Sports’ dedicated South Asians in football hub and feel free to share your thoughts with the editorial team. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £250 k – entry is free.