Icuk gets bonus after 13 years

JAKARTA (JP): Former Indonesian badminton star Icuk Sugiarto has received a late bonus from a Semarang, Central Java businessman, 13 years behind schedule.

Businessman Hio Song Hiong finally managed to sit together with Icuk, Indonesia's second world champion, last week to sign a document for the handing over of a 200-square-meter plot worth Rp 60 million (US$25,750) at the Bukit Sari housing complex in Semarang.

"Icuk had been so busy that we failed to arrange a meeting. When he came to me last week, I immediately took him to a lawyer for the signing," Hio told Antara yesterday.

Icuk followed in the footsteps of 1980 world champion Rudy Hartono by winning the men's singles title in the 1983 World Championship in Malmoe, Sweden.

In the 1980s, Hio also awarded land to other badminton stars who are natives of Central Java, including All-England three-time men's singles champion Liem Swie King and All-England doubles winner Kartono.

"Alas, they sold their land. I don't expect Icuk to do the same thing," Hio said. (amd)