Welcome to Dev's Digest, Sky Sports' flagship column where Dev Trehan shares insider scoops and thoughtful commentary on the most significant stories affecting British South Asians in football. In this edition we explore a charitable auction, celebrate recent award winners, and highlight the resilience of players who are breaking new ground for their communities. First, an exciting piece of news for fans of Leicester City and charitable causes alike: the shirt Hamza Choudhury wore in the 2021 FA Cup final against Chelsea is set to be sold at auction later this month.
Sky Sports News has obtained exclusive details about the event. The jersey, carefully framed, will be offered at a fundraising gala for the Children Not Numbers charity, an organisation that supports children caught in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The auction is being organized by Nujum Sports, a body that represents Muslim athletes and works to amplify their voices across sport. Choudhury, who concluded a 21‑year spell with Leicester and transferred to Sheffield United during the summer window, has been invited to speak at the London gathering on October 25.
His presence underscores the link between high‑profile athletes and philanthropic initiatives, especially those that address the plight of young people in conflict zones. Beyond the auction, Choudhury’s influence continues to ripple through the game.
He recently featured in the ASEAN Cup, where another rising South Asian talent, Fulham’s Farhaan Ali Wahid, followed in his footsteps by earning his first cap for Bangladesh. Wahid, currently on loan at National League leaders Boreham Wood, entered the match as a substitute and found the net on his second appearance for the Bangladesh national side in a narrow defeat to Indonesia. His goal marked him as only the second Premier League‑affiliated player ever to represent Bangladesh, highlighting the growing diaspora impact on Asian football. The international scene also saw Oxford City winger Dillon De Silva make headlines for Sri Lanka.
De Silva scored in a 3‑0 triumph over Seychelles and then added another goal in a 2‑0 win during the second leg of the double‑header on Mahe Island. His contributions illustrate how South Asian players are increasingly influencing matches beyond the English leagues. In domestic news, two British‑South‑Asian footballers have publicly stood with Dundee United midfielder Zidane Iqbal after he endured racist abuse while on international duty with Iraq.
Mal Benning and Kam Kandola, both recognised at the Asian Football Awards, voiced their support. Iqbal, born in Manchester to a British‑Pakistani family, spoke candidly to reporters last weekend about the verbal and online harassment he faced. He was unable to attend the awards ceremony to collect his Men's Player accolade, a ceremony where Benning also received the Football Pioneer award, as revealed in last month’s Dev's Digest. Benning, a four‑time member of the South Asians in Football Team of the Season, told Sky Sports News, "Seeing Zidane subjected to that kind of abuse is heartbreaking.
He is a role model for South Asian youngsters – he even featured at the World Cup. I hope this is an isolated incident and doesn’t discourage any aspiring player from pursuing a professional career.
As a community we must rally around him and ensure he knows we stand with him." Kam Kandola, who earned the Non‑League Player award, echoed the sentiment: "I’m proud of Zidane for speaking out. It takes courage to confront hate, especially when it targets your heritage. We all stand with him and we’ll keep supporting his journey." The Asian Football Awards also celebrated other standout performers. Wrexham and Pakistan forward Mariam Mahmood secured the Women’s Player award, while her teammate, Lewes midfielder Layla Banaras, was honoured as the Women’s Young Player.
Their achievements reflect the expanding footprint of South Asian talent across both men’s and women’s football. Among the men’s categories, Brandon Khela, the Men’s Young Player winner, expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of Robbie Savage taking over as Peterborough United manager.
Forest Green Rovers chairman Dale Vince confirmed that Savage has been offered the role and that negotiations are underway. Khela, a former Birmingham City midfielder, said, "Robbie played in the Premier League, which is the level I aspire to reach.
Learning from someone who’s been through that journey would be invaluable, regardless of who ultimately gets the job. I’m excited for whatever comes next and eager to improve my game under strong leadership." Khela also paid tribute to former Peterborough boss Luke Williams, noting that the experience gained under Williams will serve him well in the future. "I have a lot of good things to say about Luke.
He taught me a lot, and I hope our paths cross again," he added. The edition would be incomplete without mentioning Dilan Markanday, a trailblazer who became the first British South Asian to appear for Tottenham Hotspur in the club’s 140‑year history. Earlier this month, Markanday scored a spectacular solo goal for Chesterfield against York City, a strike he described as reminiscent of his youthful days at Spurs.
He recounted, "It was deep into stoppage time, but I still had the energy. When the ball arrived on the halfway line, I ignored the advice to play it safe and went straight for the defender. I beat him, took on another player and smashed it into the bottom corner. In that moment I felt like the kid who used to take on anyone at Tottenham’s academy – fearless and free." Markanday emphasized that maintaining that childlike joy is essential for his development: "I want to keep scoring all kinds of goals and enjoy football without fear or the need to prove anything.
It’s about playing with that playground spirit, remembering why we fell in love with the game in the first place." Overall, this issue of Dev's Digest showcases how British South Asian footballers are not only excelling on the pitch but also leveraging their platforms for charitable work, confronting discrimination, and inspiring the next generation. Their stories underline the importance of community solidarity, representation, and the power of sport to drive positive change. For additional features, interviews, and video content, visit the groundbreaking South Asians in Football hub on skysports.com and feel free to reach out to share your thoughts.