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 beautiful game. This edition celebrates two remarkable stories: the recognition of veteran defender Mal Benning and the impressive first appearance of Bangladesh international Hamza Choudhury for Sheffield United.
Mal Benning is slated to be honoured with the prestigious Football Pioneer accolade at the upcoming Asian Football Awards, a detail that Sky Sports News has confirmed exclusively for our readers. The award, which celebrates individuals who have broken barriers and paved the way for greater diversity in English football, is a fitting tribute to Benning’s long‑standing contribution to the sport. Benning’s career milestone came 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 the English leagues. That appearance underscored a journey that began in the youth ranks of Walsall, where a teenage Benning earned his first senior minutes under the guidance of then‑manager Dean Smith during the 2012/13 campaign.
A brief loan spell at York City followed before he secured a permanent move to Mansfield Town in 2015. Affectionately dubbed "Sir Mal" by the Stags faithful, Benning quickly became a cult figure at Field Mill.
He amassed more than 250 games for Mansfield, scoring a memorable winner against bitter rivals Chesterfield in April 2018 – a goal that cemented his legendary status among the club’s supporters. In the summer of 2021 he transferred to Port Vale, where he continued to add chapters to his storied career. Ironically, Benning’s most iconic moment arrived against his former side.
In the League Two play‑off final at Wembley, Port Vale thrashed Mansfield 3‑0, and Benning capped the victory with a decisive goal. The celebration was amplified when he used the post‑match platform to speak about representation.
"I came on Sky Sports News earlier in the week talking about South Asians in football, and that today was a massive step," Benning told the network after the final whistle. "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." His remarks resonated deeply, and co‑commentator Jobi McAnuff highlighted the broader significance: "He has certainly been a pioneer and someone who has been flying the flag for many, many years. 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, providing a stage for Benning and other trailblazers to be celebrated alongside emerging talent.
Turning to the next story, Hamza Choudhury made an immediate impact after his high‑profile switch from Leicester City to Sheffield United. On Transfer Deadline Day, the Bangladesh‑born midfielder was thrust straight into the starting XI at right‑back and completed the full 90 minutes in a pulsating 3‑2 victory over Bolton Wanderers. The win marked a dream debut for Choudhury, who had just ended a 21‑year association with Leicester – a club where he grew from academy prospect to senior stalwart.
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 featured in 34 league games and captained the side on several occasions as Leicester secured the Sky Bet Championship title in the 2023/24 season. His final appearance for the Foxes came in a 2‑1 defeat to Burton Albion, the very club where he made his EFL debut on loan more than a decade earlier.
Choudhury’s move to Bramall Lane reunites him with manager Chris Wilder, under whom he previously worked during a loan spell at Watford in the 2022/23 season. The midfielder made his international debut for Bangladesh in March 2025, adding another layer to his multicultural football identity.
His presence in the Sheffield United lineup reflects the growing influence of South Asian talent in top‑flight English football. In other notable news, Pakistan forward Mariam Mahmood etched her name into Wrexham FC history by becoming the first woman ever to be added to the club’s international honours board. At just 22, Mahmood joins legendary figures such as Joey Jones, Dai Davies and Kieffer Moore on the board, and she is only the second British South Asian to achieve this distinction after former Wales international Neil Taylor, who earned 43 caps while playing for Wrexham.
Mahmood, who debuted for Pakistan during AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifying in Indonesia, has already scored three goals in six international outings. She most recently represented Pakistan in the FIFA Series in Ivory Coast in April, underscoring her rising profile on the global stage. Business news also featured a South Asian connection: Amit Bhatia attended his first Liverpool match since his investment 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 consortium, 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. So to in any way be associated with it, it is the stuff of dreams," Bhatia told LFC TV. He added, "But it also comes, we know, with great responsibilities. That responsibility has been shouldered by FSG, we believe, in the most spectacular way over the last 16 years.
So, if we as their partners can be involved, help, elevate the club, help the club in any way – and I hope that they see some value in us, which is why they've welcomed us to the table – we are ready, willing, champing at the bit and can't wait to help in any way that we are called upon to help the club." These stories illustrate the expanding footprint of South Asian athletes, coaches and executives within the UK football ecosystem. From pioneering veterans like Mal Benning to emerging stars such as Hamza Choudhury and Mariam Mahmood, the narrative is one of progress, representation and ambition. For more in‑depth features, video interviews and the latest updates on South Asians in football, visit the dedicated page on Sky Sports.com.
Join the conversation, share your thoughts, and stay tuned for future editions of Dev's Digest, where we continue to spotlight the individuals reshaping the beautiful game.