Welcome to Dev's Digest, the forward‑thinking Sky Sports column where Dev Trehan shares breaking stories and offers insight into the most significant moments for British South Asians in football. In an exclusive reveal, Sky Sports News reports that Hamza Choudhury’s match‑day shirt from Leicester City’s dramatic 2021 FA Cup triumph over Chelsea will soon be placed on the block for a charitable cause.
The iconic jersey, carefully framed, is slated for auction at a fundraising event benefiting the Children Not Numbers charity, which supports youngsters impacted by the ongoing Gaza conflict. The auction is being organised by Nujum Sports, a body that represents Muslim athletes across the UK.
Choudhury, who concluded a 21‑year stint with Leicester City by moving to Sheffield United this summer, is scheduled to appear as a speaker at the London fundraiser on 25 October. His presence underscores the link between sport, community activism, and the power of high‑profile athletes to drive awareness for humanitarian issues.
While Choudhury prepares for his new chapter in the Championship, another British‑South‑Asian player has been making headlines on the international stage. Fulham’s promising youngster Farhaan Ali Wahid, following in Choudhury’s footsteps, earned his first cap for Bangladesh in the ASEAN Cup.
Wahid, currently on loan at National League leaders Boreham Wood, entered the match as a substitute and found the net on his second appearance, scoring during a 2‑1 loss to Indonesia. His breakthrough marks him as only the second Premier League‑affiliated footballer ever to represent Bangladesh, highlighting the growing footprint of South Asian talent in top‑tier football. Further down the globe, Oxford City winger Dillon De Silva delivered a double‑dose of goals for Sri Lanka in a two‑leg series against the Seychelles. He opened the scoring in a 3‑0 victory and added another in the return fixture, which ended 2‑0, confirming his importance to the Sri Lankan side and showcasing the depth of South Asian representation across different continents.
In domestic news, South Asian footballers in Britain have rallied around Zidane Iqbal after the Dundee United midfielder faced harassment while on international duty with Iraq. Iqbal, born in Manchester to a British‑Pakistani family, publicly disclosed that he endured both verbal taunts and online abuse because of his heritage. His candid remarks have sparked a wave of solidarity from fellow players. Mal Benning, a seasoned defender, and Kam Kandola, a non‑league standout, both voiced their support.
Benning, who was honoured with the Football Pioneer award at the Asian Football Awards, said: "It’s heartbreaking to hear that Zidane has been targeted. He’s a role model for South Asian youngsters, having played at the World Cup. I hope this incident is an isolated one and doesn’t discourage any aspiring player from pursuing a professional career. As a community we must stand together and back him." Kandola, the recipient of the Non‑League Player award, echoed the sentiment: "We all stand by him.
It’s crucial that he feels proud of his roots. Some people might shy away, but Zidane confronted the abuse head‑on, and that takes courage.
I’m impressed by how he handled it, and we’re all behind him." The Asian Football Awards also celebrated other achievements. Mariam Mahmood, who represents Pakistan at the senior level, collected the Women’s Player of the Year trophy, while her Lewes teammate Layla Banaras was named Women’s Young Player.
Their successes underline the growing visibility of South Asian women in the beautiful game. On the men’s side, Brandon Khela, a former Birmingham City midfielder and this year’s Men’s Young Player awardee, expressed excitement 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, who admires Savage’s journey from cult hero at Birmingham to Premier League veteran, said: "I’ve always wanted to play at the highest level, and learning from someone who’s been there would be invaluable. No matter who ends up in charge, I’m eager to see what the future holds and to keep improving my game." Khela also paid tribute to former Peterborough boss Luke Williams, noting that the experience gained under Williams will serve him well wherever his career leads.
"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.
Another inspiring story comes from Dilan Markanday, who recently made history as the first British South Asian to feature for Tottenham Hotspur in a European fixture, a milestone that came five years ago under Nuno Espírito Santo. Markanday’s solo strike for Chesterfield against York City sparked memories of his early days at Spurs. In a post‑match interview, he described the goal as a moment when he felt “like that fearless kid again,” recalling the joy of taking on defenders without fear or expectation. "I just want to keep scoring different kinds of goals and enjoy the game with that childlike wonder," he said, urging himself to remember the pure love of football that first drove him onto the pitch.
These narratives, ranging from charitable auctions to international breakthroughs and community solidarity, illustrate the vibrant and evolving landscape for South Asian footballers in the UK and beyond. For more in‑depth stories, feature articles, and video content, visit the pioneering South Asians in Football hub on Sky Sports and reach out to share your own perspectives.