Welcome to Dev's Digest, Sky Sports' flagship column where Dev Trehan shares exclusive updates and highlights the most significant moments for British South Asians in the world of football. In a landmark announcement, Sky Sports News has confirmed that Mal Benning will be honoured with the prestigious Football Pioneer Award at this month’s Asian Football Awards. The accolade recognises his trail‑blazing contributions to the game and his role as a role model for South Asian athletes across the United Kingdom.
Benning’s career milestone arrived last February, when he marked his 500th professional appearance on Valentine’s Day – a rare achievement for any player and an especially noteworthy statistic for a British South Asian in English football. Very few individuals from that community have reached half a thousand senior caps, making the occasion all the more historic.
The journey began in the 2012/13 campaign when a teenage Benning broke into the first team at Walsall under the guidance of then‑manager Dean Smith. After a brief loan spell at York City, he secured a permanent move to Mansfield Town in 2015, where his reputation started to blossom.
Affectionately dubbed "Sir Mal" by the Stags faithful, Benning quickly became a cult figure at Mansfield. He etched his name into club folklore by scoring a decisive goal against bitter rivals Chesterfield in April 2018, a match that helped him surpass the 250‑appearance mark for the club. His consistency and professionalism earned him legendary status among the supporters.
In the summer of 2021 Benning transferred to Port Vale, continuing his upward trajectory. Ironically, his most memorable moment in a Vale shirt came against his former side, Mansfield, in the League Two play‑off final at Wembley. Benning completed a 3‑0 victory with a goal that sealed the win and secured promotion for Port Vale. What followed cemented his legacy beyond the pitch.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the final, Benning used the platform to highlight the significance of his achievement for the Sikh community and for South Asians in football more broadly. "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 the sentiment, stressing the broader impact on diversity within the English game. "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, promising a night of celebration for players, coaches and administrators who have broken barriers and opened doors for future generations. Turning to another headline, 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 was thrust straight into the starting XI at right‑back and completed the full 90 minutes, demonstrating the confidence the club placed in him after his permanent move from Leicester City. Choudhury’s departure from Leicester ended a 21‑year association that began in the club’s youth ranks.
He amassed 166 senior appearances for the Foxes, featuring in the squad that lifted the FA Cup for the first time in 2021. He also contributed 34 league games during Leicester’s Sky Bet Championship title‑winning campaign in 2023/24, captaining the side on several occasions. In a poetic twist, Choudhury’s final appearance for Leicester was a 2‑1 defeat to Burton Albion – the very club where he made his EFL debut during a loan spell more than a decade earlier. His move to Bramall Lane reunites him with Chris Wilder, under whom he previously worked during a loan stint at Watford in the 2022/23 season.
Internationally, Choudhury earned his first cap for Bangladesh in March 2025, adding a new dimension to his career as he continues to represent the South Asian nation while playing club football under Wilder’s guidance. The roundup also highlighted a historic moment for Wrexham FC’s women’s side. Pakistan forward Mariam Mahmood became the first female footballer to be added to the club’s international honours board, joining legends such as Joey Jones, Dai Davies and Kieffer Moore. Mahmood is only the second British South Asian to feature on the board, following 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 and has since accumulated three goals in six international outings. Her most recent appearance came in the FIFA Series in Ivory Coast in April, underscoring her growing influence on the global stage. Business news also made the headlines. Amit Bhatia attended his first Liverpool match since the consortium he leads agreed to purchase a 38 % stake in the club.
The son‑in‑law of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal was invited to Anfield for Liverpool’s 2‑2 draw with Nottingham Forest, joining fellow investors Jeff Bezos and Eduardo Saverin. Once the deal is ratified, Bhatia will assume a seat on Liverpool’s board as vice‑chairman.
Speaking to LFC TV, Bhatia described the opportunity as a lifelong dream: "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, we are ready, willing, champing at the bit and can’t wait to help in any way we are called upon." These stories illustrate the growing influence of British South Asians across every facet of the beautiful game – from on‑field achievements to boardroom negotiations. For more in‑depth features, videos and interviews, visit Sky Sports’ dedicated South Asians in football hub and share your thoughts with the community. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £250 k! Enter for free.