The Toronto Raptors have finally made it to the NBA finals. It was a historic moment for Toronto and all of Canada as well. But amidst all of this, there is a special fan – Nav Bhatia – that has caught the eye of a Canadian journalist.
Journalist, Muhammad Lila, has covered an emotionally gripping story of Toronto Raptors’ biggest fan Nav Bhatia. The story takes multiple turns about how he rose despite all the odds against him and helped other immigrant families as well. Nav Bhatia has attended every single Raptors game since 1995.
It is only on a few occasions that a fan can be the reason for the unity of a community. Muhammad Lila took to his Twitter to narrate the gleaming story of Toronto Raptors’ biggest fan. The story revolves around Nav and his early struggles, success, and being an aid to others. Lila also highlighted how Nav is a bigger fan of the basketball outfit than rapper Drake.
When you think of the Raps, you probably think of Drake on the sidelines, as the team’s biggest fan.
The thing is, he’s not.
In Toronto, we love @Drake. But there’s someone else who symbolizes everything great about Toronto and Canada. pic.twitter.com/qWPCs5TRHK
— Muhammad Lila (@MuhammadLila) May 26, 2019
In the tweet thread, Lila spoke about how the 67-year-old arrived in Canada in 1980s, developed his love for Raptors, and hasn’t missed a single game since 1995. He also described the life pattern of Nav Bhatia. He wrote, “As a brown turbaned guy with an accent he couldn’t get a job as an engineer, so he wound up working as a car salesman at a dealership in a rough part of town.”
He’s been at every single Raptors home game since 1995.
That' right: Every. Single. One.
Through Damon, Vince, CB4, a zillion coaches, blackouts, blizzards, you name it.
Big deal, right? Wait, there’s more. pic.twitter.com/zdjf6vf4Ck
— Muhammad Lila (@MuhammadLila) May 26, 2019
Nav Bhatia has a charming personality and the journalist believes it is this personality and honesty that helped him rise to the top. He also went ahead and bought the dealership where he was once an employee.
He sold 127 cars in just ninety days. It’s a record that stands to this day. He did it the old-fashioned way, by being honest (and yes, some catchy radio ads). He was so good that he eventually bought the dealership. Crazy, right.
Guess what’s crazier? pic.twitter.com/K1so1Jagdq
— Muhammad Lila (@MuhammadLila) May 26, 2019
If you go to a Raps game, you’ll see his big ass huge goofy smile, on the baseline.
When you’re an immigrant, nothing feels more Canadian than waving a Canadian flag while cheering your team. Sports is the great equalizer. pic.twitter.com/2S4pP1dZo8
— Muhammad Lila (@MuhammadLila) May 26, 2019
“If you go to a Raps game, you will see his big ass huge goofy smile, on the baseline. When you’re an immigrant, nothing feels more Canadian than waving a Canadian flag while cheering your team. Sports is the great equalizer,” Lila wrote.
You’ll hear a dozen languages, see black guys in dreads hanging out with Korean guys eating poutine. In other cities, that would be weird.
In Toronto, it’s perfectly normal. It’s how the 6ix rolls.
Take this pic. How many colors/ethnicities can you see? At least a dozen. pic.twitter.com/ni5zxD5SZu
— Muhammad Lila (@MuhammadLila) May 26, 2019
That while the world is building walls, Canada is building bridges.
A guy like @superfan_nav is our best symbol of that.
He’s not just a guy from Toronto. He *is* Toronto.
A place where people work hard, make it, and still care enough to give back. pic.twitter.com/K5do9KqjgE
— Muhammad Lila (@MuhammadLila) May 26, 2019
Basketball can be more than just a game.
When the finals tip-off on Thursday, the world is going to see Toronto being Toronto: Diverse, strong, caring.
And there’ll be a 67-year old Sikh turbaned guy leading the charge.
And you know what, we're okay with that.
END pic.twitter.com/7bPtkutTP8
— Muhammad Lila (@MuhammadLila) May 26, 2019
Additionally, Muhammad Lila also got onto a call with Nav, and here’s what the superhuman had the say.
“Other countries might be richer, but they’re not richer in mannerisms, politeness, or looking after each other.. And the country south of us (USA) has a lot to learn”
We salute the journey of Nav Bhatia, his dedication towards Toronto Raptors, his amazing societal work for immigrants in Canada and overall growth as a businessman!
