Indo-Canadian 'Nav' Bhatia became the first-ever fan to be inducted into the prestigious Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
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The connection between Navdeep Bhatia and with the Toronto Raptors started simply by attending the first game in franchise history, and ‘Nav’ has been hooked ever since.
Navdeep Bhatia is a huge Toronto Raptors fan. When the Raptors played their first game in the National Basketball Association (NBA) league in 1995, a courtside fan stood out from the rest.
It was not his booming voice that had others in the arena sit up and take notice. But as a practicing Sikh, he drew attention with his white turban and thick beard as required by his religion.
I made a promise as a kid to my mom i would never remove my turban. Today it is in the Hall of Fame. Embrace what makes you different. It is your superpower. This is the crown I wear each day. Thank you mom. pic.twitter.com/s6cCjxbdhR
— Nav Bhatia Superfan (@superfan_nav) May 19, 2021
The 69-year-old claims he has never missed a Raptors game since their inception. Also, his cheer has only grown louder in that time. All this was enough reason for the franchise to term him a “Superfan” in 1998 and hand him the Number 95 jersey.
He has never played a game of professional basketball in his life. He isn’t even a broadcaster or a writer. Yet, he was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame last week, alongside basketball legends like Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Chris Webber and others.
He is, therefore, a recognised face across NBA, rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in the sport.
For the support he showed over the years, he was also given an NBA championship ring by the Raptors, which is usually reserved only for team members.
A great addition to the championship ring. #blessed#morethanideserve#superfan #navbhatia #halloffame2020 #nbachampion pic.twitter.com/9t9gNvKPWQ
— Nav Bhatia Superfan (@superfan_nav) May 17, 2021
It was not for just being a loyal Raptors follower. Over the years, he has used his fame and the game to smash stereotypes, while bringing about change, one basketball fan at a time, through philanthropy and activism.
Navdeep Bhatia is successful entrepreneur, he owns the Mississauga and Rexdale Hyundai car dealerships. He is now taking his philanthropy to new heights with the launch of his own Superfan Foundation. “I am launching the Nav Bhatia Superfan Foundation where I am building basketball courts and hosting camps for kids from all backgrounds to come together through the game of basketball.”
The Superfan Nav Bhatia Foundation –
supported thru donation of my appearance fees, endorsement fees, paid posts, & merch on my site. I don’t keep 1$ personally from any of the above. We give away tickets, basketballs and building basketball courts! Get ready for 2021! #imwithnav pic.twitter.com/6KuJ8rsTIb— Nav Bhatia Superfan (@superfan_nav) May 23, 2021
The idea was to make basketball accessible to as many children as possible by creating courts and distributing gear.
Bhatia takes around 5,000 children of all ages, races and backgrounds to watch the Raptors play. He says he mixes children together to solve the discrimination issue he initially faced as an immigrant.
Nav is involved in promoting South Asian and East Indian charities, building basketball courts in the region of west Toronto, and has worked with the Raptors to organize multicultural nights at their games.
