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 football. This month’s Asian Football Awards will see Mal Benning honoured with the prestigious Football Pioneer accolade, an announcement that Sky Sports News has secured exclusively.
Benning’s career milestone arrived on Valentine’s Day last season when he chalked up his 500th professional appearance – a landmark reached by only a handful of British South Asian players in the English game. His journey began as a teenage prospect under Dean Smith at Walsall during the 2012‑13 campaign.
After a brief loan stint at York City, he signed for Mansfield Town in 2015, where he quickly became a fan favourite. Affectionately dubbed “Sir Mal” by the Stags supporters, Benning amassed more than 250 appearances for Mansfield, even scoring a memorable goal against bitter rivals Chesterfield in April 2018. His consistency earned him legendary status at the club before he moved on to Port Vale in the summer of 2021.
Ironically, Benning’s most iconic moment came against his former side. In the League Two play‑off final at Wembley, he completed the scoring in a 3‑0 victory for Port Vale over Mansfield, sealing a fairy‑tale ending to his Mansfield chapter.
What followed cemented his reputation as a trailblazer for British South Asians. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Benning said, “I was on Sky Sports News earlier in the week talking about South Asians in football, and today was a massive step.
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.” Co‑commentator Jobi McAnuff underscored the significance of the occasion, noting, “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 taken his opportunity – it’s a big, big credit to Mal Benning.” The sixth edition of the Asian Football Awards will be held in London on 29 September, providing a platform to celebrate the achievements of Asian players, coaches and executives across the sport.
In other news, Hamza Choudhury enjoyed a triumphant debut for Sheffield United, helping the Blades to a dramatic 3‑2 victory over Bolton Wanderers on Transfer Deadline Day. The Bangladesh international was handed a start at right‑back and completed the full 90 minutes, just a day after finalising his permanent move away from Leicester City, where he had spent 21 years. Choudhury’s Leicester résumé includes 166 senior appearances and a place in the squad that lifted the FA Cup in 2021.
He also featured in 34 league games and captained the side on several occasions as Leicester clinched the Sky Bet Championship title in the 2023‑24 season. A 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 during his first loan spell more than a decade earlier. His transfer to Bramall Lane reunites him with Chris Wilder, under whom he previously worked during a loan spell at Watford in 2022‑23. Internationally, Choudhury earned his first cap for Bangladesh in March 2025, adding another layer to his multicultural football identity while still playing under Wilder’s guidance at Sheffield United.
Turning to women’s football, Pakistan forward Mariam Mahmood has etched her name in Wrexham history as the first female player to be added to the club’s International Honours Board. At 22, she joins legends such as Joey Jones, Dai Davies and Kieffer Moore, becoming only the second British South Asian to be recognised after former Aston Villa and Wales defender Neil Taylor, who earned 43 caps for Wales after turning professional at Wrexham in 2007. Mahmood debuted for Pakistan during AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifying in Indonesia last year, one of nine British‑born players representing the Shaheens. In six international outings she has already netted three goals, most recently featuring for Pakistan in the FIFA Series in Ivory Coast in April.
In the business side of the sport, Amit Bhatia attended his first Liverpool match since his consortium agreed to acquire a 38 percent stake in the club. The son‑in‑law of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal was at Anfield with his family for Liverpool’s 2‑2 draw with Nottingham Forest after receiving an invitation from Fenway Sports Group principal owner John W Henry. The consortium, led by British‑Indian entrepreneur Bhatia, also includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co‑founder Eduardo Saverin. Once the deal is ratified, Bhatia will join Liverpool’s board as vice‑chairman.
Speaking to LFC TV, Bhatia said, “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. But it also comes with great responsibilities.
That responsibility has been shouldered by FSG in the most spectacular way over the last 16 years. If we as their partners can be involved, help elevate the club, and add value, we are ready, willing, and can’t wait to contribute in any way we are called upon.” For more stories, features and videos, visit Sky Sports’ dedicated South Asians in football page and get in touch to share your perspective.
Play Super 6 for a chance to win £250 k – enter for free.