Raptors superfan Nav Bhatia gets a key to the City of Mississauga

Raptors superfan Nav Bhatia now has a key to the City of Mississauga.

Mayor Bonnie Crombie presented Bhatia with a Key to the City on Wednesday (Dec. 13) at Mississauga City Hall, according to a press release from the city.

“Nav has made it his mission to unite people of all ages and backgrounds through the game of basketball,” said Crombie.

“He is a true champion for diversity and demonstrates that our strength as a city comes from celebrating our differences. His contributions to Paul Coffey Park’s four basketball courts, a community where he first planted roots in Canada, are making a real difference in the lives of our youth. Nav’s journey stands as an inspiration to us all and the Key to the City symbolizes our thanks for all that he’s done and all that he continues to do.”

Known for his unwavering support of his favourite basketball team, Bhatia had attended all Raptors’ home games for 26 years until he had to miss the Dec. 10, 2021 game due to a potential COVID-19 exposure.

He first started attending games in 1995.

His dedication to the sport has led to being the first non-player to receive an NBA championship ring and being inducted by the NBA into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Trained as an engineer, Bhatia was unable to secure a job in his specialty when he first arrived in Canada so he took a job as a car salesman. He sold 127 cars in three months, which to date, remains a Hyundai sales record. He became manager of the dealership and today, owns three Hyundai dealerships.

He is also known for his community support and charitable achievements. The Nav Bhatia Superfan Foundation has built new and upgraded existing basketball courts for communities in Mississauga and across Canada.

His basketball camps help youth sharpen their basketball skills, and engage in meaningful discussions about teamwork, diversity and the importance of embracing their community.

He is a strong voice speaking out against discrimination and racism, something that he’s faced his whole life. He has partnered with World Vision’s ‘Rise Up Daughters’ of India initiative to build washrooms for female students in India’s schools, which helps increase their safety and privacy, allowing them to stay in school.

To date, over 35 school washrooms have been built in some of the poorest villages of India.

Bhatia thanked the city for the recognition.

“I am so honoured to receive this prestigious recognition. When I arrived in 1984, with very little but my hopes and dreams, Mississauga was a community where I found safety and opportunities. Mississauga was the perfect place for me to put down roots and much of what I have today, I owe to those humble beginnings,” Bhatia said.

That is why I feel so strongly that it’s my responsibility to give back. I am very thankful to receive this special recognition from Mayor Bonnie Crombie and the City of Mississauga – the best city, in the best country, in the world.”

Mayor Bonnie Crombie, Councillor Matt Mahoney, Councillor Martin Reid with Nav Bhatia and the Key to the City. Photo: City of Mississauga

The Key to the City of Mississauga is Mississauga’s most prestigious form of recognition. It is reserved for and bestowed upon esteemed community members, former residents and visitors whom the mayor wishes to honour.

It’s a sign of great achievement and distinction and is given to individuals who have positively impacted and changed our city for the better.

While primarily symbolic, the key signifies trust and freedom for the recipient to enter in and out of the city as they wish, knowing that Mississauga will always be their home.

During her term in office, Mayor Crombie has awarded keys to the following individuals:

• The late Hazel McCallion, former City of Mississauga Mayor
• Yoshinori Takenaka, Mayor of Kariya, Japan Mississauga’s sister city
• Homegrown tennis star Bianca Andreescu
• Lawrence Loh, for his significant contributions to the health and well-being of Mississauga residents during the COVID pandemic
• Rock band Triumph who formed in Mississauga in 1975 and went on to receive 25 Gold and Platinum Awards in Canada and the United States
• Mohamad Fakih, CEO and President of Paramount Fine Foods