Jim’s Mowing founder makes bid to save Games

AN AUSTRALIAN business leader says he will step up to the starting blocks in an effort to save the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Chief executive officer and founder of Jim’s Group Jim Penman and his group of 5,000 franchises have offered to accommodate Commonwealth Games athletes by billeting them across the state.

According to Mr Penman, the move should save “billions of dollars”, and give Victoria the chance to avoid becoming the “the laughing stock of the world”.

Mr Penman. who has been highly critical of Premier Daniel Andrews, labelled this month’s Commonwealth Games cancellation announcement as an “absolute disgrace” and called for Mr Andrews to be sacked.

“Clearly the Andrews Government is so incompetent, they couldn’t project manage their way out of a paper bag, let alone put on an international sporting event.

“We can save the Games.

“We have over 5,000 franchisees Australia wide, with thousands in Victoria alone.

“Many of them would be happy to help. We could even put some up at our place, or in our Jim’s Group Conference Centre. No charge.

“No need to build new accommodation. What a waste of money. They can stay with us.”

It is the latest publicity stunt from Mr Penman, who announced in March he had seceded from Victoria and the Commonwealth of Australia to form his own micronation “Jimland” and declared himself King Jim the First.

Mr Penman said many Australian athletes would be disappointed the government has “ripped away their dream”.

“Why not bring the Games back to the people? It is supposed to be for the people.

“So many Australians have been training for years to compete in front of their home crowd.”

If successful, Mr Penman will call the Commonwealth Games the “Jim’s Commonwealth Games” and add a demonstration sport of lawn mower racing.