Welcome to Dev's Digest, Sky Sports' flagship column where Dev Trehan breaks exclusive stories and highlights the most significant moments for British South Asians in football. In this edition we celebrate two remarkable milestones: Mal Benning’s upcoming recognition at the Asian Football Awards and Hamza Choudhury’s dream debut for Sheffield United. Mal Benning is slated to receive the prestigious Football Pioneer award at this month’s Asian Football Awards, a scoop that Sky Sports News can confirm exclusively. Benning’s journey is a textbook example of perseverance and representation.
On Valentine’s Day last season he logged his 500th professional appearance – a milestone that only a handful of British South Asians have ever reached in the English game. That landmark match underscored a career that began in the youth ranks of Walsall under then‑manager Dean Smith during the 2012/13 campaign. After a brief loan spell at York City, Benning secured a permanent move to 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, netting a memorable goal against bitter rivals Chesterfield in April 2018.
His consistency and leadership earned him a reputation as a modern‑day club legend. In the summer of 2021 Benning transferred to Port Vale, and in a twist of fate his most iconic moment came against his former side. He capped off a 3‑0 victory in the League Two play‑off final at Wembley by scoring the final goal, sealing Port Vale’s promotion while celebrating his own storied past. What followed cemented his status as a trailblazer for South Asian athletes.
In a post‑match interview with Sky Sports, Benning reflected on the broader impact of his achievements. “I came on Sky Sports News earlier in the week talking about South Asians in football, and that today was a massive step,” he said. “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 far beyond the pitch, highlighting how representation can inspire future generations. 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.” McAnuff praised Benning’s professionalism, adding, “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 will be shared with a host of other South Asian talents nominated for the 2025/26 British South Asians in Football Team of the Season awards. Dundee United’s newcomer Zidane Iqbal, Chesterfield’s promising winger Dilan Markanday, and midfield dynamo Hamza Choudhury are all shortlisted for the Men’s Player award.
Young prospects such as Peterborough’s Brandon Khela, Barnsley’s Vimal Yoganathan and Fulham’s Seth Ridgeon feature on the Young Men’s Player list. In the non‑league sector, Tamworth goalkeeper Jas Singh, Hereford defender Kam Kandola and Boreham Wood winger Tarryn Allarakhia contend for the Non‑League Player prize.
On the women’s side, Leicester City full‑back Asmita Ale joins Wrexham forward Mariam Mahmood and Burnley midfielder Millie Chandarana for the Women’s Player award. Meanwhile, West Brom attacker Riya Mannu, Lewes midfielder Layla Banaras, Leicester youngster Sareet Kaur Binning and Wales international Safia Middleton‑Patel are vying for Women’s Young Player of the Year. Turning to the Premier League, Hamza Choudhury delivered a dream debut for Sheffield United, helping the Blades to a thrilling 3‑2 comeback win over Bolton Wanderers on Transfer Deadline Day.
The Bangladesh international slotted straight into the starting XI at right‑back and completed the full 90 minutes, a testament to the confidence manager Chris Wilder placed in him. 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 tenure at Leicester, Choudhury amassed 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 featured in 34 league matches and captained the side on several occasions as Leicester clinched the Sky Bet Championship title in 2023/24.
Ironically, his final appearance for Leicester was a 2‑1 defeat to Burton Albion – the very club where he made his EFL debut on loan more than a decade earlier. The transfer reunites Choudhury with Chris Wilder, under whom he previously worked during a loan spell at Watford in the 2022/23 season. Choudhury earned his first cap for Bangladesh in March 2025, simultaneously balancing club duties under Wilder’s guidance.
His international career has already been noteworthy; he has become a key figure for the Bangladesh national team, bringing Premier League experience to a side eager to raise its profile in Asian football. In another historic moment, Pakistan forward Mariam Mahmood etched her name into Wrexham’s club history by becoming the first female player ever to be added to the club’s International Honours Board. At just 22, Mahmood joins legends such as Joey Jones, Dai Davies and Kieffer Moore on that prestigious list, and she follows Neil Taylor as the second British South Asian to receive the honour. Taylor, a former full‑back for Aston Villa, Swansea and Middlesbrough, earned 43 caps for Wales after turning professional at Wrexham in 2007.
Mahmood debuted for Pakistan during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers in Indonesia last year, representing one of nine British‑born players selected for 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 a South Asian connection: Amit Bhatia attended his first Liverpool match since his consortium agreed to purchase a 38 percent stake in the club. Bhatia, the son‑in‑law of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, was invited by Fenway Sports Group principal owner John W Henry to sit with his family at Anfield for the 2‑2 draw against Nottingham Forest. The consortium, which includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co‑founder Eduardo Saverin, will see Bhatia take a seat on Liverpool’s board as vice‑chairman once the deal is ratified.
"It’s the biggest and the greatest football club in the world. So to in any way be associated with it, it is the stuff of dreams," Bhatia told LFC TV. He added, "But it also comes, we know, with great responsibilities.
That responsibility has been shouldered by FSG, we believe, in the most spectacular way over the last 16 years. So, if we as their partners can be involved, help, elevate the club, help the club in any way – and I hope that they see some value in us, which is why they’ve welcomed us to the table – we are ready, willing, champing at the bit and can’t wait to help in any way that we are called upon to help the club." These stories illustrate the growing influence of British South Asians across every tier of the sport – from grassroots to the Premier League, from the pitch to the boardroom. For more in‑depth features, video interviews and the latest updates, visit Sky Sports’ dedicated South Asians in Football hub.