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 edition celebrates two standout stories: the recognition of veteran defender Mal Benning and the impressive debut of midfielder Hamza Choudhury for Sheffield United. Mal Benning is slated to receive the Football Pioneer award at this month’s Asian Football Awards, a detail first revealed by Sky Sports News. Benning’s career milestone arrived on Valentine’s Day last season when he chalked up his 500th professional appearance – a rare achievement for a British South Asian player in the English game.
The Walsall‑trained defender broke into senior football as a teenager under the guidance of Dean Smith during the 2012/13 campaign. After a brief loan spell at York City, he secured a permanent move to Mansfield Town in 2015.
Affectionately dubbed “Sir Mal” by the Stags faithful, Benning quickly became a cult figure, netting a memorable goal against arch‑rivals Chesterfield in April 2018 and amassing more than 250 appearances for Mansfield. In the summer of 2021 Benning transferred to Port Vale. Ironically, his most celebrated moment on the pitch came against his former club. He capped a 3‑0 victory for Vale over Mansfield in the League Two play‑off final at Wembley, sealing the win with a late strike.
The goal was only part of the story; his post‑match comments amplified his impact beyond the field. “I was on Sky Sports News earlier this week talking about South Asians in football, and today feels like a huge step forward,” Benning told Sky Sports after the final.
“It isn’t about me personally – anyone could have been in my shoes – but for the Sikh community and for South Asians in the sport, this is a massive milestone.” Co‑commentator Jobi McAnuff underscored the significance of the occasion for ethnic diversity in English football. “He’s been a pioneer, flying the flag for many years,” McAnuff said.
“It’s wonderful to see him get his day, and the fact that it came against his old club makes it even more poetic – he always seems to pop up with the goal when it matters.” Benning’s resurgence at Port Vale has been praised by teammates and pundits alike. “He’s fantastic.
He’s reclaimed his place in the side and taken his chance – it’s a huge credit to Mal,” one commentator noted. Alongside Benning, eight other players named in the 2025/26 British South Asians in Football Team of the Season are also vying for awards at the Asian Football Awards.
New Dundee United signing Zidane Iqbal, Chesterfield’s Dilan Markanday and Hamza Choudhury are shortlisted for the Men’s Player award. The Young Men’s Player category features Brandon Khela (Peterborough), Vimal Yoganathan (Barnsley) and Seth Ridgeon (Fulham). The Non‑League Player award pits Tamworth goalkeeper Jas Singh, Hereford defender Kam Kandola and Boreham Wood winger Tarryn Allarakhia against one another. In the women’s game, Leicester City full‑back Asmita Ale joins Wrexham forward Mariam Mahmood and Burnley midfielder Millie Chandarana on the Women’s Player shortlist.
The Women’s Young Player of the Year category includes West Brom attacker Riya Mannu, Lewes midfielder Layla Banaras, Leicester youngster Sareet Kaur Binning and Wales international goalkeeper Safia Middleton‑Patel. Turning to the Premier League, 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 started at right‑back, completed the full 90 minutes, and made an immediate impact just a day after ending a 21‑year spell with Leicester City by signing a permanent deal with United.
Choudhury’s Leicester résumé is impressive: 166 senior appearances, a role in the squad that lifted the FA Cup in 2021, and 34 league outings during the 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship-winning campaign, where he captained the side on several occasions. His final appearance for Leicester 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. The move to Bramall Lane reunites Choudhury with former Leicester manager Chris Wilder, under whom he spent a loan spell at Watford in the 2022/23 season.
Internationally, Choudhury earned his first cap for Bangladesh in March 2025, adding another layer to his multicultural football identity. In women’s football, Pakistan forward Mariam Mahmood has etched her name into Wrexham’s history by becoming 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, and follows in the footsteps of Neil Taylor – the only other British South Asian to be honoured in that way. Taylor, a former Aston Villa, Swansea and Middlesbrough full‑back, turned professional at Wrexham in 2007 and earned 43 caps for Wales.
Mahmood debuted for Pakistan during AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifying in Indonesia last year, one of nine British‑born players representing the Shaheens. She has already scored three goals in six international outings and most recently featured for Pakistan in the FIFA Series in Ivory Coast in April.
Business news also featured in the digest. 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 at Anfield 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, will see Bhatia join Liverpool’s board as vice‑chairman once the deal is ratified.
"It’s the biggest and greatest football club in the world. To be associated with it is the stuff of dreams," Bhatia told LFC TV.
He added that the partnership brings significant responsibility, praising FSG’s stewardship over the past 16 years and expressing eagerness to contribute: "If we can help elevate the club in any way, we’re ready and willing." For more stories, features and video content, visit Sky Sports’ dedicated South Asians in football hub and get in touch to share your perspective.