Welcome to Dev's Digest, Sky Sports' flagship column that spotlights breaking news and offers thoughtful commentary on the most significant stories affecting British South Asians in football. In an exclusive reveal, Sky Sports News has confirmed that Hamza Choudhury's shirt from Leicester City’s triumphant 2021 FA Cup final against Chelsea will be placed up for auction later this month.
The iconic, framed jersey will be sold at a charity fundraiser organized by Nujum Sports, the Muslim athlete representation body, with proceeds earmarked for Children Not Numbers – a charity supporting children caught in the Gaza conflict. Choudhury, who concluded a 21‑year spell with Leicester before moving to Sheffield United this summer, is slated to appear as a speaker at the London event on 25 October. His presence underscores the growing influence of South Asian players in the upper echelons of English football and highlights the community’s commitment to humanitarian causes.
Beyond Choudhury’s headline‑making auction, the column notes another milestone for South Asian representation. Fulham’s academy prospect Farhaan Ali Wahid, following in Choudhury’s footsteps, earned his first senior cap for Bangladesh during the ASEAN Cup. Wahid, currently on loan at National League leaders Boreham Wood, entered the match off the bench and found the net on his second appearance, scoring in a narrow 2‑1 defeat to Indonesia.
His achievement marks him as only the second Premier League‑affiliated player ever to represent Bangladesh, signalling a widening pipeline of talent from the diaspora to Asian national sides. Further down the globe, Oxford City winger Dillon De Silva continued to raise the profile of South Asian footballers abroad. De Silva netted twice for Sri Lanka, first in a 3‑0 win over Seychelles and again in a 2‑0 victory in the return fixture on Mahe Island.
His contributions illustrate the expanding footprint of British‑born South Asian players on the international stage. The column also turns its focus to the recent controversy surrounding Dundee United midfielder Zidane Iqbal. After being targeted with verbal and online abuse during an international call‑up with Iraq, Iqbal received an outpouring of support from fellow South Asian footballers.
Mal Benning and Kam Kandola publicly affirmed their solidarity, emphasizing that Iqbal’s experience should not deter aspiring players from similar backgrounds. Benning, who was honoured with the Football Pioneer award at the Asian Football Awards, reflected on the incident: "It’s heartbreaking to see a young talent like Zidane subjected to such hate.
He’s a role model for South Asian youngsters, having already featured at the World Cup. I hope this is an isolated incident and that it doesn’t cast a shadow over anyone else trying to break through.
Our community must rally around him and ensure he feels supported." Kandola, the Non‑League Player award recipient, echoed the sentiment, praising Iqbal’s composure: "He stood up for himself and his heritage, which is incredibly brave. We all stand with him and are proud of his courage." At the Asian Football Awards, other South Asian stars were celebrated. Mariam Mahmood, a forward for Wrexham and the Pakistan national team, secured the Women’s Player award, while her teammate Layla Banaras of Lewes claimed the Women’s Young Player accolade. Their successes highlight the rising prominence of women’s football within the South Asian community.
In the men’s categories, Brandon Khela, a former Birmingham City midfielder, expressed excitement at the prospect of Robbie Savage taking the helm at Peterborough United. Khela, who won the Men’s Young Player award, said: "Savage has Premier League experience, which is exactly the kind of mentorship I’m looking for. Whatever the new manager, I’m eager to learn and improve." Khela also offered kind words about former Peterborough boss Luke Williams, noting the lessons he gleaned during their time together and expressing hope that their paths might cross again.
The column then shifts to Dilan Markanday, a trailblazer who became the first British South Asian to feature for Tottenham Hotspur in the club’s 140‑year history. Markanday’s recent solo strike for Chesterfield against York City sparked memories of his early Spurs days. He recounted the goal: "It came in the 96th minute.
I saw a ball on the halfway line, ignored the suggestion to simply cross it, and took on a defender one‑on‑one. After beating him, I slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
In that moment I felt like the fearless kid at Spurs, playing without fear or expectation." Markanday’s description captures the joy and freedom that many South Asian players seek: a child‑like enthusiasm that fuels creativity on the pitch. He emphasized his desire to continue scoring varied goals while preserving that fearless mindset.
Overall, Dev’s Digest paints a vivid picture of a community gaining visibility, confronting adversity, and championing charitable causes. From Choudhury’s charitable jersey auction to Iqbal’s stand against abuse, from Wahid’s historic Bangladesh debut to Markanday’s nostalgic celebration of his Tottenham roots, the narrative underscores both the challenges and triumphs of South Asian footballers in the UK and beyond. For additional stories, in‑depth features, and video content, visit the pioneering South Asians in Football hub on skysports.com, and feel free to reach out with your thoughts and suggestions.