Welcome to Dev's Digest, the forward‑looking Sky Sports column where Dev Trehan shares breaking news and thoughtful commentary on the most important stories affecting British South Asians in football. In a charitable twist that blends sport and solidarity, Hamza Choudhury’s shirt from Leicester City’s dramatic 2021 FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea is set to be auctioned later this month.
Sky Sports News has obtained the exclusive scoop on the upcoming sale. The shirt, preserved in a framed display, will be offered at a fundraiser for the Children Not Numbers charity, an organisation that supports children caught in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The event is being organised by Nujum Sports, the body that represents Muslim athletes across the UK, and is scheduled to take place in London on October 25.
Choudhury, who recently concluded a 21‑year spell with Leicester to sign for Sheffield United, will appear as a guest speaker at the gathering, adding his voice to the cause. Choudhury’s own journey has been punctuated by moments of representation for South Asian players. Earlier this year he featured in the ASEAN Cup, where another young talent, Fulham’s Farhaan Ali Wahid, followed a similar path by earning his first cap for Bangladesh.
Wahid’s debut made him only the second Premier League‑affiliated footballer ever to represent the Bangladeshi national side. Currently on loan at National League leaders Boreham Wood, Wahid came off the bench in a recent match against Indonesia and found the net on his second appearance for Bangladesh, underscoring the growing impact of South Asian players on the international stage. Further afield, Oxford City winger Dillon De Silva has been making headlines for Sri Lanka. He scored in a 3‑0 win over Seychelles and then repeated the feat in a subsequent 2‑0 victory during a double‑header on Mahe Island, highlighting the expanding footprint of British‑based South Asian talent in Asian football.
The column also turns to a more sobering story: the backlash faced by Dundee United midfielder Zidane Iqbal after he was targeted with abuse while on international duty for Iraq. Iqbal, who was born in Manchester to a British‑Pakistani family, spoke openly about the verbal and online harassment he endured, describing it as a painful reminder that prejudice still exists in the sport. Mal Benning and Kam Kandola, both recognised at the Asian Football Awards, have publicly stood with Iqbal.
Benning, a four‑time member of the South Asians in Football Team of the Season, expressed his disappointment at the abuse, saying, "It’s heartbreaking to see a role model like Zidane being attacked. He’s a beacon for South Asian youngsters who dream of playing at the highest level, even the World Cup.
I hope this is an isolated incident and doesn’t discourage any aspiring player." Benning added that the community must rally around Iqbal, offering support and encouragement. Kam Kandola, who collected the Non‑League Player award, echoed the sentiment, praising Iqbal’s courage.
"We all stand by him. It’s vital that he feels proud of his heritage and knows that the football community backs him," Kandola told Sky Sports News.
"Some people shy away from controversy, but Zidane faced it head‑on for himself and for his background. That takes real strength." At the Asian Football Awards, other South Asian talents were celebrated.
Wrexham forward Mariam Mahmood was honoured with the Women’s Player award, while her teammate at Lewes, midfielder Layla Banaras, received the Women’s Young Player accolade. Their achievements reflect the increasing visibility of South Asian women in the game. The awards also highlighted future managerial prospects. Brandon Khela, a former Birmingham City midfielder and this year’s Men’s Young Player winner, voiced excitement at the possibility of Robbie Savage taking the helm at Peterborough United.
Forest Green Rovers chairman Dale Vince confirmed that Savage had been offered the job and that negotiations were underway. Khela, who aspires to play in the Premier League, said, "Learning from someone who has played at the top level would be invaluable. Whatever the new manager’s name, I’m eager to see the direction the club takes." Khela also offered praise for Luke Williams, who was dismissed as Peterborough manager only two weeks earlier. "I have a lot of good things to say about Luke.
He taught me a lot, and I hope our paths cross again," Khela remarked, underscoring the respect that often persists despite professional turnover. One of the most inspiring narratives comes from Dilan Markanday, a trailblazer for British South Asian football. Markanday became the first South Asian to feature for Tottenham Hotspur in the club’s 140‑year history when he played in a European fixture under Nuno Espírito Santo five years ago.
Earlier this month he delivered a spectacular solo goal for Chesterfield in a 2‑0 victory over York City. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Markanday described the moment as reminiscent of his youthful days at Spurs: "I got the ball on the halfway line, ignored the advice to play it safe, took on a defender, then another, and slotted it into the bottom corner. I felt like that kid again, fearless and free." Markanday’s reflections capture a broader theme that runs through Dev’s Digest: the importance of preserving a child‑like love for the game while breaking barriers. He added, "I want to keep scoring all kinds of goals and enjoy football without fear, just like a kid in a playground.
That mindset has helped me push forward, and I hope it inspires other South Asian players to chase their dreams." The column concludes with a reminder that readers can explore more stories, features, and video content on Sky Sports’ dedicated South Asians in Football page. Those with opinions or personal experiences are encouraged to get in touch and share their voice, ensuring the conversation continues to grow and evolve. For a smoother viewing experience, a Chrome browser is recommended for the embedded video player.