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 football. This month, Sky Sports News has an exclusive scoop: Mal Benning will be celebrated with the prestigious Football Pioneer award at the upcoming Asian Football Awards.
The accolade recognises his trail‑blazing career and his role as a role model for the community. Benning’s journey reached a milestone on Valentine’s Day last season when he logged his 500th professional appearance – a rare achievement for any player, and especially notable for a British South Asian in the English game. Few have reached that landmark, underscoring his durability and consistency over a long career.
The former Walsall youngster broke into senior football under the guidance of Dean Smith during the 2012/13 campaign. After a brief loan spell 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, he amassed more than 250 appearances for Mansfield, even finding the net against bitter rivals Chesterfield in April 2018.
In the summer of 2021 Benning moved on to Port Vale. Ironically, his most memorable moment in a Vale shirt came against his old club.
He capped off a 3‑0 victory over Mansfield in the League Two play‑off final at Wembley, sealing the win with a late goal. The celebration that followed was as much about his performance as it was about the platform he used to champion South Asian representation. "I was on Sky Sports News earlier this week talking about South Asians in football, and today felt like a massive step forward," Benning told Sky Sports after the match. "It doesn’t matter if it’s me or anyone else – for the Sikh community and for South Asians across the sport, this is a huge moment." Co‑commentator Jobi McAnuff echoed those sentiments, stressing the broader significance for diverse ethnic groups in English football.
"He’s been a pioneer for years, flying the flag for countless youngsters. It’s fantastic to see him get his day, especially against his former club – the narrative always seems to come full circle." Beyond Benning, eight other players named in the 2025/26 British South Asians in Football Team of the Season are also in contention 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 prize, while Peterborough’s Brandon Khela, Barnsley’s Vimal Yoganathan and Fulham’s Seth Ridgeon vie for the Young Men’s Player honour. The Non‑League Player category features Tamworth goalkeeper Jas Singh, Hereford defender Kam Kandola and Boreham Wood winger Tarryn Allarakhia.
On the women’s side, Leicester City full‑back Asmita Ale, Wrexham forward Mariam Mahmood and Burnley midfielder Millie Chandarana are on the Women’s Player shortlist. West Brom attacker Riya Mannu, Lewes midfielder Layla Banaras, Leicester youngster Sareet Kaur Binning and Wales goalkeeper Safia Middleton‑Patel round out the shortlist for Women’s Young Player of the Year. One of the standout stories of the week was Hamza Choudhury’s winning debut for Sheffield United. The Bangladesh international slotted into the right‑back position for the full 90 minutes as the Blades edged Bolton Wanderers 3‑2 on Transfer Deadline Day.
Choudhury had just completed a 21‑year spell with Leicester City, signing a permanent deal with Sheffield United after a loan stint. 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 contributed 34 league games and captained the side on several occasions as Leicester secured the Sky Bet Championship title in the 2023/24 season. In a twist of fate, Choudhury’s 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.
His move to Bramall Lane reunites him with Chris Wilder, under whom he previously worked during a loan spell at Watford in the 2022/23 campaign. Choudhury earned his first senior cap for Bangladesh in March 2025, adding an international dimension to his already impressive résumé.
He continues to represent Bangladesh while also featuring for Sheffield United, showcasing the growing influence of South Asian talent at the highest levels of the game. Another historic moment arrived for Pakistan forward Mariam Mahmood, who became the first female footballer to be added to Wrexham’s international honours board. At 22, Mahmood joins club legends such as Joey Jones, Dai Davies and Kieffer Moore on the board, becoming only the second British South Asian to be commemorated – after former Aston Villa, Swansea and Middlesbrough defender Neil Taylor, who earned 43 caps for Wales. Mahmood made her Pakistan debut during AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifying in Indonesia last year, one of nine British‑born players to don the Shaheens jersey.
She has scored three goals in six international outings and most recently featured for Pakistan in the FIFA Series in Ivory Coast in April. The business side of football also featured a notable development: Amit Bhatia attended his first Liverpool match since his consortium secured a 38 % stake in the club.
Bhatia, son‑in‑law of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, was invited by Fenway Sports Group owner John W Henry to watch Liverpool’s 2‑2 draw with Nottingham Forest at Anfield. 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 with great prestige comes great responsibility, praising FSG’s stewardship over the past 16 years and expressing eagerness to contribute wherever needed. For more in‑depth stories, features and video content, visit Sky Sports’ dedicated South Asians in football hub. Readers are encouraged to share their views and join the conversation about the evolving landscape of diversity in the beautiful game.
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