Henan Team Officially Announces Club Mascots’ Names: Babu and Yubao

On August 28, Henan Football Club officially announced the names of the mascots for the first team and the youth training teams. After three days of enthusiastic voting by fans, and in combination with comprehensive suggestions from Henan Football Culture co-builders, the final name for the Henan Football Club mascot is: Babu; the final name for the youth training team mascot is: Yubao.

Henan Football Club Mascot: Babu

Babu was an early “native” of a zoo in Henan, living there for 35 years. As an old friend of Henan people, it accompanied three generations through wonderful times. It was known as the “dancing elephant,” a vivid representation of Henan’s football culture and sports spirit. Its spirit also embodies the tenacity, fearlessness, and courage of the people of Central Plains and Henan football. Although Babu has passed away, we hope that its name and will continue to flow through our lineage.

Henan Youth Training Team Mascot: Yubao

Yubao, our mascot’s nickname. “Yu” means land of elephants, and Yubao naturally embodies the valuable qualities of elephants: wisdom, tenacity, fearlessness, competitiveness, and fighting spirit. Additionally, as the club’s mascot, Yubao serves as a precious emotional link between Henan Football Club and three million fans, one hundred million Henanese people. It is also a valuable cultural link between Central Plains culture, Henan football culture, sports culture, Chinese civilization, Chinese football culture, Chinese sports culture, and the spirit of national sports.

(End of Announcement)

Worth noting is that the naming of these two mascots was a joint effort by the club and the fans: The official club first invited fans to name the two mascots, then selected ten unique mascot names based on likes and other data on the platform, ultimately determining the final names through fan voting.

Henan Football Club also stated that the club staff will promptly contact the fans whose names were finally chosen and those who made the shortlist, to offer them corresponding customized experience activities and limited-edition gifts from the 30th anniversary series.