Welcome to Dev's Digest, the forward‑thinking Sky Sports column where Dev Trehan shares exclusive updates and thoughtful commentary on the most significant stories affecting British South Asians in football. In a remarkable charitable initiative, Hamza Choudhury’s shirt from Leicester City’s triumphant 2021 FA Cup final against Chelsea will soon be placed under the hammer. Sky Sports News has obtained the exclusive scoop that the framed jersey will be sold at a fundraising event supporting the Children Not Numbers charity, an organization dedicated to helping children caught in the Gaza conflict. The auction is part of a larger benefit organized by Nujum Sports, a Muslim athlete advocacy group, and is scheduled for later this month.
Choudhury, who concluded a 21‑year spell with Leicester before moving to Sheffield United in the summer, is set to appear as a guest speaker at the London fundraiser on October 25. His presence underscores the growing willingness of British‑Asian footballers to use their platforms for humanitarian causes. The news arrives as Choudhury continues to make headlines on the international stage.
At the recent ASEAN Cup, Fulham prospect Farhaan Ali Wahid followed in Choudhury’s footsteps by earning his first cap for Bangladesh, becoming only the second Premier League‑affiliated player ever to represent the South Asian nation. Currently on loan at National League leaders Boreham Wood, Wahid entered the match against Indonesia as a substitute and found the net on his second appearance, showcasing the rising talent pool among British‑Asian players. Further down the footballing ladder, Oxford City winger Dillon De Silva delivered a double‑header performance for Sri Lanka, scoring in a 3‑0 win over Seychelles and then adding another goal in a subsequent 2‑0 victory on Mahe Island.
De Silva’s contributions highlight the expanding influence of South Asian athletes across a variety of international competitions. Amid these celebrations, the community also rallied around Zidane Iqbal, the Dundee United midfielder who recently endured abusive remarks while representing Iraq. Iqbal, born in Manchester to a British‑Pakistani family, publicly disclosed that he faced both verbal and online harassment because of his heritage.
His candid remarks have sparked a wave of solidarity from fellow South Asian footballers. Mal Benning and Kam Kandola, both recognised at the Asian Football Awards, voiced their support for Iqbal.
Benning, who received the Football Pioneer award and has been named in the South Asians in Football Team of the Season for four straight years, told Sky Sports News, “It’s heartbreaking to see a player of South Asian descent subjected to that kind of abuse. Zidane is a role model for young British‑Asian footballers – he has already played at the World Cup. We hope this incident is an isolated one and does not discourage anyone with similar aspirations.” Kandola, the recipient of the Non‑League Player award, echoed the sentiment, saying, “We all stand by Zidane. It’s vital that he feels proud of his background and knows the community has his back.
The way he handled the situation was impressive; it shows great character and resilience.” The Asian Football Awards also celebrated other standout performers. Mariam Mahmood, a forward for Wrexham and Pakistan, captured the Women’s Player of the Year trophy, while her teammate, Lew Banaras of Lewes, was honoured as Women’s Young Player. Their achievements reflect the growing visibility of South Asian women in the sport. In the men’s categories, Brandon Khela, the former Birmingham City midfielder and this year’s Men’s Young Player, expressed excitement about the possibility of Robbie Savage taking over as Peterborough United manager.
Savage, a former Premier League player, is reportedly in advanced talks with the club, and Khela believes working under such an experienced figure could accelerate his own development. “Learning from someone who has played at the highest level is invaluable,” Khela remarked. “Regardless of who ultimately gets the job, I’m eager to see what the future holds for the club and for my own growth.” Khela also praised former Peterborough boss Luke Williams, noting that the lessons he learned under Williams would stay with him throughout his career.
“I have a lot of good things to say about Luke. He taught me a great deal, and I hope our paths cross again,” he added. Another inspiring story comes from Dilan Markanday, the trailblazing Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate who became the first British‑South Asian to feature for Spurs in the club’s 140‑year history. Earlier this month, Markanday scored a dramatic late winner for Chesterfield against York City, a goal he described as reminiscent of his youthful days at Tottenham.
“When the ball arrived on the halfway line, I ignored the advice to play it safe and went for the one‑on‑one. The moment I beat the defender and struck the bottom corner, I felt that same fearless kid again,” Markanday explained. His comments capture the joy and freedom that many South Asian players seek on the pitch, and his continued success serves as a beacon for aspiring youngsters. These narratives—ranging from charitable auctions and international debuts to personal resilience in the face of discrimination—illustrate the vibrant and evolving landscape of South Asian participation in football.
The community’s collective voice, as heard through awards ceremonies, interviews, and on‑field performances, underscores a shared commitment to representation, inclusion, and social responsibility. For further stories, in‑depth features, and video content, explore the groundbreaking South Asians in Football hub on skysports.com. Readers are encouraged to reach out and share their perspectives, ensuring that the conversation continues to grow and inspire future generations of players and fans alike.