The 2009 Jeux de la Francophonie (6th Francophone Games), was an international multi-sport event held from 27 September to 6 October in Beirut, Lebanon. Organization The organization of the Jeux de la Francophonie is entrusted by the local authorities of the hosting country to a national committee – the Comité National des Jeux Francophones (CNJF). The CNJF organizes the games in conformity with the regulations and under the supervision of an international committee, the Comité international des Jeux de la Francophonie (CIJF). The CNJF’s responsibilities include accommodation, local transportation, press center, opening and closing events, medical service, safety, insurance, the promotion of its national territory, and the accreditation. Costs Canada, a traditional supporter of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, regularly provides funding for the competition and in September 2009, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and La Francophonie, Josée Verner, stated that Canada was contributing $1 million towards the costs of the Games. Bid Lebanon was chosen to host the sixth edition of the Jeux de la Francophonie during the 29th Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers (Conférence des ministres de la jeunesse et des sports) which took place in Beirut in March 2003. Logo and mascot The official mascot featured a stylized image of a phoenix depicted in the colors of the International Organization of the Francophonie. This mascot was chosen by the Lebanese organizing committee (CNJF) as the symbol of the 2009 Games. The phoenix logo was designed by Lebanese caricaturist Armand Homsi and was dubbed 'Cédrus' following a contest organized by the CNJF in which Lara Akiki, a Lebanese citizen was awarded a prize for proposing the name for the mascot. Venues The Jeux de la Francophonie was held in a variety of venues throughout Lebanon. The Lebanese University campus at Hadath hosted all the delegations and the participants in the campus' dorms. The university's sports facilities were used for training and the theaters hosted cultural events. The centerpiece of the 2009 Jeux de la Francophonie was the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium. It hosted the opening ceremony, as well as the finals of the athletics and soccer competitions. The boxing tournament was also held here, taking place in the stadium's Pierre Gemayel facility, but the other sports competitions were held elsewhere throughout the coastal cities in Lebanon. The Rafic Hariri Stadium in Sidon and the Beirut Municipal Stadium hosted soccer tournaments. The table tennis tournaments were