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 celebrate Mal Benning with the prestigious football‑pioneer award, an announcement that Sky Sports News has obtained ahead of the ceremony. 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 reached in the English game. The former teenager who broke through under Dean Smith at Walsall during the 2012‑13 campaign later spent a brief spell on loan at York City before signing for Mansfield Town in 2015.
Affectionately dubbed “Sir Mal” by the Stags faithful, he quickly became a cult figure, netting a memorable goal against arch‑rivals Chesterfield in April 2018 and amassing more than 250 appearances for Mansfield. His performances earned him a move to Port Vale in the summer of 2021. Ironically, Benning’s most iconic moment came against his former club.
In the League Two play‑off final at Wembley, he capped a 3‑0 victory for Port Vale by scoring the final goal against Mansfield, sealing a triumphant ending to the season. What he said after the match, and the way he used the platform, further cemented his status as a trailblazer for British South Asians in English football.
"I appeared on Sky Sports News earlier this week talking about South Asians in football, and today’s win feels like a massive step forward," Benning told Sky Sports after the game. "It isn’t about me personally – anyone could have been in that position – but for the Sikh community and for South Asians across the sport, this is a huge breakthrough." Co‑commentator Jobi McAnuff underscored the significance of the occasion for ethnic‑diverse communities within the English game.
"He’s been a pioneer, flying the flag for many years," McAnuff said. "It’s wonderful to see him get his day, and it’s almost poetic that it came against his old club – he always seems to pop up with a goal at the right moment." "He was outstanding.
He reclaimed his place in the side and seized the opportunity – a big, big credit to Mal Benning." The sixth edition of the Asian Football Awards will be staged in London on 29 September. In other news, Hamza Choudhury enjoyed a dream debut for Sheffield United, helping the Blades to a thrilling 3‑2 victory over Bolton Wanderers on Transfer Deadline Day. The Bangladesh international was thrust straight into the starting XI at right‑back and completed the full 90 minutes, just a day after ending a 21‑year association with Leicester City by signing a permanent deal with the Blades. Choudhury logged 166 senior appearances for Leicester, featuring in the squad that lifted the FA Cup for the first time in 2021.
He also made 34 league appearances and captained the side on several occasions as Leicester clinched the Sky Bet Championship title in the 2023/24 season. His final appearance for Leicester came in a 2‑1 defeat to Burton Albion – the very club where he made his EFL debut during his first loan spell more than a decade earlier. The move to Bramall Lane reunites him with Chris Wilder, under whom he spent a loan stint at Watford in the 2022/23 campaign. Choudhury earned his first cap for Bangladesh in March 2025, while still playing club football under Wilder during a loan at Sheffield United, highlighting his growing influence on both the domestic and international stages.
Further milestones for South Asian footballers were highlighted when Pakistan forward Mariam Mahmood made Wrexham history by becoming the first woman ever to be added to the club’s international honours board. At 22, Mahmood joins legends such as Joey Jones, Dai Davies and Kieffer Moore on the board and becomes only the second British South Asian to be honoured – after former Aston Villa, Swansea and Middlesbrough full‑back 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. The former West Brom attacker has already scored three goals in six international outings and most recently featured for Pakistan in the FIFA Series in Ivory Coast in April.
In a separate development, Amit Bhatia attended his first Liverpool match since the consortium he leads secured a 38 percent stake in the club. Bhatia, 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 investment group, which includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co‑founder Eduardo Saverin, is led by British‑Indian entrepreneur Bhatia. Once the deal is ratified, Bhatia will join Liverpool’s board as vice‑chairman.
"It’s the biggest and greatest football club in the world. To be associated with it in any capacity is the stuff of dreams," Bhatia told LFC TV. "But it also comes with great responsibilities. That responsibility has been shouldered by FSG in a spectacular way over the last 16 years.
If we, as partners, can help elevate the club, contribute wherever needed, and add value, we are ready, willing and eager to do so." For more stories, features and videos, visit Sky Sports’ groundbreaking South Asians in football hub and get in touch to share your perspective. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £250 k – enter for free.