Welcome to Dev's Digest, Sky Sports' flagship column that spotlights breaking news and offers thoughtful commentary on the most significant stories affecting British South Asians in football. In this edition we cover a charitable auction involving a historic FA Cup shirt, celebrate the achievements of rising South Asian talent, and highlight the solidarity shown by the community after a disturbing incident of abuse. Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury's match‑day shirt from the 2021 FA Cup final against Chelsea is set to be sold at auction later this month, Sky Sports News reveals exclusively. The shirt, preserved in a framed display, will be offered to the highest bidder at a fundraising event for the Children Not Numbers charity.
The charity works to support children who have been caught up in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the auction forms part of a larger benefit evening organized by Nujum Sports, the body that represents Muslim athletes across the UK. Choudhury, who concluded a 21‑year spell with Leicester before moving to Sheffield United in the summer, has been invited to speak at the London gathering on 25 October. He will share his personal journey, discuss the importance of giving back, and underline how sport can be a conduit for positive change in conflict‑affected regions.
While Choudhury prepares for his new chapter in Sheffield, another South Asian player has been making headlines on the international stage. Fulham prospect Farhaan Ali Wahid, the second Premier League‑affiliated footballer ever to don the Bangladesh jersey, earned his second cap in a tightly contested Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia. Coming off the bench for Bangladesh, Wahid found the net, showcasing the growing influence of British‑born talent within Asian national teams.
Currently on loan at National League leaders Boreham Wood, his performance underlines the increasing pathways for dual‑heritage players to represent their ancestral homelands while developing their club careers in England. Further down the globe, Oxford City winger Dillon De Silva has been a key figure for Sri Lanka. He scored in a 3‑0 triumph over Seychelles and repeated the feat in a subsequent 2‑0 victory during a double‑header on Mahe Island.
De Silva’s contributions illustrate how South Asian footballers are beginning to leave their mark in a variety of international competitions, expanding the visibility of the diaspora across the sport. The edition also addresses a troubling episode involving Dundee United midfielder Zidane Iqbal. While on international duty with Iraq, Iqbal was subjected to verbal and online harassment targeting his British‑Pakistani heritage.
The abuse sparked an outpouring of support from fellow South Asian footballers, including Mal Benning and Kam Kandola, who emphasized the need for unity within the community. Benning, a four‑time member of the South Asians in Football Team of the Season and recipient of the Football Pioneer award at the Asian Football Awards, expressed his disappointment: "It is heartbreaking to see a player of Zidane’s calibre face such hostility. He is a role model for every young South Asian dreaming of a professional career, having already featured at the World Cup.
This incident must be seen as an isolated incident, not a deterrent for future talent. The community must rally around him and ensure he receives the support he deserves." Kam Kandola, who was honoured with the Non‑League Player award, echoed this sentiment, praising Iqbal for standing up for his heritage despite the personal cost. "We all stand by him," Kandola said.
"His courage sends a powerful message that our identity is something to be proud of, not a source of shame." At the Asian Football Awards, other South Asian athletes were also celebrated. Mariam Mahmood, a forward for Wrexham and Pakistan, claimed the Women’s Player award, while her teammate Layla Banaras of Lewes earned the Women’s Young Player accolade. Their successes highlight the growing depth of talent on both the men’s and women’s sides of the game. In a surprising twist, former Birmingham City midfielder Brandon Khela revealed his excitement at the prospect of Robbie Savage taking over as Peterborough United manager.
Savage, a former cult figure at Birmingham, has been offered the role and is currently in negotiations with the club. Khela, who secured the Men’s Young Player award, believes that learning from a manager with Premier League experience could accelerate his own development. "I still have a lot to improve, and working with someone like Robbie would be invaluable," he told Sky Sports News. Khela also offered praise for Luke Williams, who was dismissed as Peterborough’s manager two weeks earlier.
"I learned a great deal from Luke," Khela said, expressing hope that their professional paths might cross again. The edition concludes with a spotlight on Dilan Markanday, a trailblazing Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate who became the first British South Asian to play for the club in its 140‑year history. Earlier this month he scored a dramatic late winner for Chesterfield against York City, describing the moment as reminiscent of his youthful days at Spurs.
"When I got the ball on the halfway line and ignored the instructions to play it safe, I felt that same fearless kid again," Markanday explained. "Scoring that goal reminded me why I love the game – it’s about playing with joy, without fear, and embracing that childlike wonder." Markanday’s story, alongside the many others featured here, underscores the vibrant and evolving presence of South Asian athletes across all levels of football.
Their achievements, challenges, and community solidarity illustrate a narrative of progress and resilience. For more in‑depth stories, feature pieces, and video content, visit the pioneering South Asians in Football hub on skysports.com. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts and experiences with the team via the contact link provided.