Raptors Superfan Nav Bhatia honoured with custom Humber Hawks jersey and lifetime pass

The entrepreneur and philanthropist was celebrated as an icon of inclusion and resilience as the Hawks men’s basketball team earned a home win

By Chris Clay on
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A person wearing a Humber Hawks jersey raises their hands above their head as others in the background clap.

Nav Bhatia now has a personalized Humber Hawks jersey to add to his collection. 

Bhatia, an entrepreneur and philanthropist who is best known as the Raptors Superfan and hasn’t missed attending a Toronto Raptors home game in 30 years, was at Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus on Jan. 14, when he was joined by President and CEO Ann Marie Vaughan to watch the Hawks men’s basketball team defeat the Fanshawe Falcons 75-61.  

At halftime, Bhatia was presented with a Humber Hawks jersey with his number 95 and name Superfan on the back. The jersey was signed by both the men’s and women’s basketball teams. He was also presented with a lifetime pass to attend any Hawks varsity team game. 

Two people stand next to a framed Humber Hawks jersey.

Bhatia was introduced as an “icon of diversity, inclusion and resilience” to loud cheers from the crowd as he walked to centre court to accept the jersey. 

After the game, Bhatia  presented the Player of the Game Award to Dwayne Burke, who finished with seven rebounds, a block and 11 points in 26 minutes of action. 

Bhatia isn’t a stranger to Humber and was conferred an honorary degree from the institution during Fall 2025 Convocation ceremonies. 

Bhatia founded the Nav Bhatia Superfan Foundation to champion causes dear to his heart, from resurfacing basketball courts, bringing diversity to sport and supporting the education of young girls and women through the Daughters of India initiative.  

Bhatia came to Canada in 1984 and, as a mechanical engineer by trade, worked odd jobs to make a living but had many businesses deny him work because he was a Sikh. When he started a job as a car salesman, he was met with racism but didn’t let them stop him from becoming the top salesperson in the country. He now owns multiple Hyundai and Genesis dealerships in Rexdale and Mississauga.  

A person wearing a Humber Hawks jersey stands with their arms outstretched as other people in the background clap.

In 1995, Bhatia purchased two Raptors tickets and has not missed a home game since. In 1998, then Raptors General Manager Isiah Thomas called him to centre court and bestowed on him the Superfan purple and white Raptors jersey and his life changed forever. Along with experiencing a sense of belonging, he became a catalyst for a more inclusive and diverse fanbase in the sport.