Zidane Iqbal, Mariam Mahmood, Brandon Khela and Layla Banaras also honoured as around 400
guests from football, media, business and the South Asian community gather at Syon Park.
LONDON, 1 OCTOBER 2026 – Mal Benning received a standing ovation after being presented with the South
Asian Pioneer Award at the Asian Football Awards 2026, as around 400 guests gathered at The Clementine, Syon
Park on Tuesday 29 September to celebrate South Asian achievement across the game.
The honour was the final award of the evening and recognised a professional career spanning more than 500
senior appearances. As Benning took to the stage, the room rose to its feet in one of the defining moments of the
ceremony, recognising the longevity, consistency and example he has set for British South Asian players over
more than a decade in the professional game.
Benning was one of 15 winners on a night which also celebrated a new generation of South Asian talent. Iraq
international Zidane Iqbal was named Men’s Player following a landmark year which included representing Iraq at
the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Pakistan internationals Mariam Mahmood and Layla Banaras received the
Women’s Player and Women’s Young Player awards. Peterborough United midfielder Brandon Khela was named
Men’s Young Player.
A room spanning the professional game and the community
Hosted by Sky Sports News presenter Dharmesh Sheth, the ceremony brought together professional players,
broadcasters, football officials, clubs, fan groups, grassroots organisations, businesses and members of the South
Asian community.
Among those in the room were previous Asian Football Awards winners and leading broadcasters Reshmin
Chowdhury, Seema Jaswal and Manish Bhasin, alongside professional players Dilan Markanday and Vimal
Yoganathan. The audience also included figures working across clubs, community programmes, supporter
organisations and the wider football industry.
Football’s governing bodies and major organisations were strongly represented, with The FA, Premier League,
PFA, Pro Ref, Kick It Out, Fans for Diversity, South Asian Football Alliance, Sporting Equals and the League
Managers Association (LMA) among those in attendance. Their presence reflected the growing engagement
across the game around South Asian representation, pathways and opportunity.
Baljit Rihal, Founder of the Asian Football Awards, said:
“Tuesday was exactly what these awards are about. To see around 400 people from the South Asian community,
football, media and business together in one room, with such strong support from the authorities and organisations
across the game, was a real joy. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and one with real purpose.”
“Mal receiving a standing ovation for the final award was a particularly special moment. He has built a career of real substance over more than 500 appearances, and the reaction in the room showed the respect people have for what he has achieved.”
“When we launched the awards in 2012, there was pushback and there were closed doors. We wanted to shine a
light on people whose achievements were not being seen and give the next generation role models they could
identify with. We are now seeing Zidane Iqbal at a World Cup, Mariam Mahmood and Layla Banaras representing
Pakistan and young players such as Brandon Khela breaking through. Progress is being made, but it is still too slow.
The talent exists. Football has to keep opening doors and finding it.”
Headline winners and stories
Zidane Iqbal – Men’s Player: The Manchester-born Iraq international was recognised after a historic year which
included appearing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Iqbal was unable to attend because he was away on international duty with Iraq and sent a video acceptance which was played during the ceremony.
Mariam Mahmood – Women’s Player: The Wrexham AFC Women forward was honoured for her continued
progression at club level and with Pakistan. Her rise has made her an increasingly visible example of a British South
Asian woman establishing herself in senior and international football.
Layla Banaras – Women’s Young Player: The Lewes FC player and Pakistan international was recognised as one of the leading young British South Asian talents in the women’s game, continuing a pathway that began in Birmingham City’s academy.
Brandon Khela – Men’s Young Player: The Peterborough United midfielder and former England youth international was recognised as one of the leading young British South Asian players progressing through the professional game.
Miriam Walker-Khan – Media: The broadcaster and founder of Brown Girl Sport received the Media Award. She was unable to attend because of CBS Golazo duties in the United States and sent a video acceptance for the ceremony.
Mo Matadar – Special Recognition for Services to Officiating: The former international assistant referee was
honoured for a career which took him from grassroots football to the highest levels of the English game, as well as his continuing contribution to developing match officials.
Micky Singh – Inspiration: The Birmingham-based founder of Blues 4 All was recognised for his long-standing work using football to bring communities together and strengthen links between Birmingham City and the city’s diverse communities.
Kam Kandola – Non-League Player: The Hereford FC defender was recognised for his performances and continued development in senior non-league football.
Asian Football Awards 2026 – full winners
Community Club Award – Leicester Nirvana FC presented by The FA
Grassroots Award – Jas Singh (Khalsa Youth Club Leicester) presented by South Asian Football Alliance
Match Official Award – Abid Hussain presented by Pro Ref
Community Cohesion & Inclusion Award – Get Involved, Palace for Life presented by Flowhesion
Women’s Young Player Award – Layla Banaras (Lewes FC / Pakistan) presented by Zenith Coins
Non-League Player Award – Kam Kandola (Hereford FC) presented by The Clementine
Media Award – Miriam Walker-Khan presented by BritAsia TV
Inspiration Award – Micky Singh (Blues 4 All, Birmingham) presented by The Dad Project
Men’s Young Player Award – Brandon Khela (Peterborough United) presented by Kingfisher
Coach Award – Nimesh Patel presented by Sporting Equals
Women’s Player Award – Mariam Mahmood (Wrexham AFC Women / Pakistan) presented by Pro Systems Services
Special Recognition Award – Services to Officiating Mo Matadar presented by Pro Ref
Men’s Player Award – Zidane Iqbal presented by Coca-Cola
Fan Group Award – Punjabi Wolves presented by Fans for Diversity
South Asian Pioneer Award – Mal Benning presented by Premier Flavour
