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. In this edition we celebrate two remarkable stories: the upcoming recognition of Mal Benning at the Asian Football Awards and the impressive start to Hamza Choudhury’s career with Sheffield United. Mal Benning is slated to receive the prestigious Football Pioneer award at this month’s Asian Football Awards, a detail that Sky Sports News has confirmed exclusively.
Benning’s journey is a textbook example of perseverance and breakthrough for a British South Asian player in the English game. On Valentine's Day last season he marked his 500th professional appearance – a milestone that only a handful of South Asian footballers have ever reached in the English leagues.
Benning’s professional path began in the 2012/13 campaign when a teenage Dean Smith handed him his first senior minutes at Walsall. After a brief loan spell at York City, he secured a permanent move to Mansfield Town in 2015. The Stags’ supporters quickly adopted the affectionate nickname "Sir Mal," and he went on to become a club legend.
One of his most memorable moments came in April 2018 when he netted the winner against arch‑rivals Chesterfield, a goal that contributed to his tally of more than 250 appearances for Mansfield. In the summer of 2021 Benning transferred to Port Vale. Ironically, his most celebrated performance for the Vale came against his former side. In the League Two play‑off final at Wembley, Benning completed a 3‑0 victory over Mansfield, sealing the win with a decisive goal.
The celebration did not stop on the pitch; his post‑match comments amplified his impact off the field. Speaking to Sky Sports after the final, Benning said, "I came on Sky Sports News earlier in the week talking about South Asians in football, and that 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." His words resonated deeply, underscoring how representation can inspire entire communities. Co‑commentator Jobi McAnuff echoed that sentiment, 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 he's taken his opportunity – it's a big, big credit to Mal Benning." Benning’s accolade not only celebrates his individual achievements but also highlights the growing visibility of British South Asian talent in the professional ranks. Alongside Benning, eight other players named in the 2025/26 British South Asians in Football Team of the Season are also in contention for awards. Dundee United’s newcomer Zidane Iqbal, Chesterfield’s Dilan Markanday and Hamza Choudhury have all been shortlisted for the Men’s Player award.
The Young Men’s Player shortlist features Brandon Khela (Peterborough), Vimal Yoganathan (Barnsley) and Seth Ridgeon (Fulham). In the non‑league sector, goalkeeper Jas Singh (Tamworth), defender Kam Kandola (Hereford) and winger Tarryn Allarakhia (Boreham Wood) are vying for recognition.
The women’s categories are equally competitive, with Asmita Ale (Leicester City), Mariam Mahmood (Wrexham) and Millie Chandarana (Burnley) among the nominees, while Riya Mannu, Layla Banaras, Sareet Kaur Binning and Safia Middleton‑Patel contend for the Women’s Young Player prize. Turning to the second headline, Hamza Choudhury enjoyed a dream debut for Sheffield United, helping the Blades to a dramatic 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, showcasing his versatility and stamina. Choudhury’s move came just a day after he terminated a 21‑year association with Leicester City, signing a permanent deal with Sheffield United.
During his time at Leicester, Choudhury amassed 166 senior appearances and was part of the squad that lifted the FA Cup in 2021 – the club’s first triumph in the competition. He also featured in 34 league matches and captained the side on several occasions as Leicester clinched the Sky Bet Championship title in the 2023/24 season. Ironically, his final appearance for the Foxes was a 2‑1 defeat to Burton Albion, the club where he made his EFL debut on loan more than a decade earlier. Choudhury’s transfer reunites him with former manager Chris Wilder, under whom he spent a loan spell at Watford in the 2022/23 campaign.
The midfielder made his international debut for Bangladesh in March 2025, adding another layer to his multicultural footballing identity. His immediate impact at Bramall Lane suggests that the partnership with Wilder could prove fruitful for both player and club. In other news, Pakistani 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 on that board. Mahmood, who debuted for Pakistan during AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifying in Indonesia, has already scored three goals in six international caps and featured in the FIFA Series in Ivory Coast earlier this year.
Business side of the game also made headlines as 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 principal owner John W.
Henry to watch Liverpool’s 2‑2 draw with Nottingham Forest at Anfield. The investment group includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co‑founder Eduardo Saverin, with Bhatia set to join Liverpool’s board as vice‑chairman once the deal is ratified. Bhatia remarked, "It's the biggest and the greatest football club in the world. To be associated with it is the stuff of dreams.
But it also comes with great responsibilities. FSG has shouldered those responsibilities spectacularly over the past 16 years, and we are ready, willing, and eager to help the club in any way we can." These stories collectively illustrate the increasing influence of British South Asians across all levels of the sport – from on‑field breakthroughs to boardroom investments.
For more in‑depth features, videos and the latest updates, visit Sky Sports' dedicated South Asians in football page.