Welcome to Dev's Digest, the forward‑looking Sky Sports column where Dev Trehan shares exclusive scoops and thoughtful commentary on the most significant stories affecting British South Asians in football. In a charitable twist, the shirt Hamza Choudhury wore when Leicester City lifted the 2021 FA Cup against Chelsea is set to be sold at auction later this month, Sky Sports News reveals. The framed jersey will be offered as part of a fundraising evening for the Children Not Numbers charity, a campaign aimed at helping youngsters caught up in the Gaza conflict. The event is being organised 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, is scheduled to appear as a speaker at the London fundraiser on 25 October. His presence underscores the growing willingness of South Asian players to use their platforms for humanitarian causes. The article also highlights the rising profile of South Asian talent 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 footballer to represent the South Asian nation. Currently on loan at National League leaders Boreham Wood, Wahid made an impact off the bench, finding the net in his second appearance for Bangladesh during a 2‑1 loss to Indonesia. Further down the South Asian football map, Oxford City winger Dillon De Silva delivered a double‑header performance for Sri Lanka, scoring in a 3‑0 triumph over Seychelles and then adding another goal in a 2‑0 victory in the return fixture on Mahe Island.
These achievements illustrate the expanding footprint of British‑born players with South Asian heritage across the global game. The piece then turns to a more personal story of solidarity. Mal Benning and Kam Kandola have publicly voiced their support for Dundee United midfielder Zidane Iqbal after he endured verbal and online abuse while on international duty with Iraq.
Iqbal, who was born in Manchester to a British‑Pakistani family, spoke candidly to reporters last weekend about the hateful messages he received, describing the experience as deeply unsettling. Because of the abuse, Iqbal was unable to collect his Men's Player award at the Asian Football Awards – an event where Benning was also honoured with the Football Pioneer award, as Dev’s Digest disclosed in its previous edition. Benning, a four‑time member of the South Asians in Football Team of the Season, told Sky Sports News: "It’s heartbreaking to see a young player of South Asian descent subjected to that kind of treatment.
Zidane is a role model for our community – he even featured at the World Cup. I hope this is an isolated incident and doesn’t discourage other aspiring South Asian footballers. We need to stand together and back him, because his talent deserves recognition, not hate." Kam Kandola, who received the Non‑League Player award, echoed the sentiment, praising Iqbal for confronting the abuse head‑on. "We all stand with him.
It’s vital that he feels proud of his heritage. Some people might shy away, but he chose to speak up for himself and for everyone who shares his background. I’m impressed by his composure and resilience," he said. The awards ceremony also celebrated other South Asian achievers.
Wrexham forward Mariam Mahmood, who represents Pakistan, captured the Women’s Player accolade, while her teammate at Lewes, midfielder Layla Banaras, was named Women’s Young Player. Their successes highlight the growing visibility of South Asian women in the sport. In a separate narrative, former Birmingham City midfielder Brandon Khela 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 earned the Men’s Young Player award at the Asian Football Awards, explained that learning from a former Premier League player like Savage would be invaluable: "He’s played at the highest level, which is where I aim to be. Whatever the new manager, I’m eager to grow and improve under his guidance." Khela also paid tribute to Luke Williams, who was dismissed as Peterborough’s boss a fortnight earlier.
"I have a lot of respect for Luke. He taught me many things, and I hope our paths cross again in the future," he said. The article concludes with a profile of Dilan Markanday, a trailblazer who became the first British South Asian to feature for Tottenham Hotspur in the club’s 140‑year history when he appeared in a European fixture under Nuno Espírito Santo five years ago. Markanday’s recent solo strike for Chesterfield against York City – a dramatic winner in the 96th minute – reminded him of the fearless youngster he once was at Spurs.
He described the moment: "When the ball arrived on the halfway line, I could have played it safe, but I chose to take on the defender. The one‑on‑one felt like a playground game, and when I slipped the ball into the bottom corner, I felt that same childlike joy. I want to keep scoring different kinds of goals and play without fear, just enjoying the game." For additional stories, in‑depth features and video content, visit Sky Sports’ dedicated South Asians in Football page and reach out to us with your thoughts.