Dressed smartly in the new Hong Kong team jersey, which features the Traditional Chinese logo of sponsor HSBC - the first time Chinese characters have appeared on the jersey, the mascot will be touring around the city of Hong Kong to increase the public's awareness and support of the local team. Currently without a name, the mascot is inviting the public to give it a name. Fans who enter the naming competition will automatically be entered into a free prize draw to win tickets to the Sevens.

Giles Morgan, HSBC Group Head of Sponsorship said, "HSBC's new partnership with the Hong Kong Team is an important part of our community engagement programme here in Hong Kong. The bank is committed to broadening the appeal of the Hong Kong Sevens, and growing pride towards the Hong Kong team, and the mascot will play a key part in achieving that over the coming weeks. The initial response to the mascot from the public has been fantastic, and we encourage everyone to get involved and suggest a name for this invaluable member of the Hong Kong squad."

Although without a rugby playing role on the team, the team mascot is very much considered a core part of the team. Rowan Varty, a key member of the Hong Kong team who won the Thailand Sevens last weekend, agrees, "It is fantastic news that the Hong Kong team now has an official mascot as part of the squad. The Hong Kong Sevens is the highlight of the calendar, and the local support we get around the event really inspires us to perform better. The new changes to the tournament mean Hong Kong has the chance to qualify for core team status in the HSBC Sevens World Series next year, and with Rugby featuring in the Olympics in just four years' time, we need as much support from Hong Kong as possible."

The Hong Kong team is drawn in the same group as Tonga, Uruguay and China at this year's Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens following the draw yesterday. Following the team's success in the HSBC Asian Sevens Series over the weekend, the squad will be aiming for more success at this year's Hong Kong tournament.

As part of the build up to the Sevens, the mascot will be out and about around the city interacting with general public as it visits iconic places around Hong Kong. The mascot will invite all those who he meets to give him a name that suitably represents who he is and what he stands for.

Also touring the city over the next few weeks is a special giant Hong Kong team shirt which is being signed with good luck messages to the team. The shirt made its first appearance at Kings Park Sports Ground during a mini's tournament where over 2,000 youngsters participated, many of whom signed the shirt with messages of support for the team.

Those wishing to suggest a name for the mascot can submit their entry via the HK Sevens website, and its Facebook page, at www.hksevens.com . Entry forms will also be given out as the mascot tours around Hong Kong on 23 February (including the Peak tram, HSBC main building and Ocean Park) and 29 February (including Mong Kok, the Star Ferry terminal and Happy Valley).