The all-pervading power of television has been the major force behind developments in modern-day professional sports. Pool in Taiwan is no exception. Broadcasts of the World Pool Championship, held in Taiwan last year, served to further pique interest in the sport.

Players from 40 countries competed for the record US$350,000 purse at the 2005 world championship held in Kaohsiung and broadcast to 70 countries around the world. Taiwan's reputation as the "Island of Pool" resounded even louder as Taiwan sports made their long-anticipated debut on the international stage.

"Broadcasting has had a very positive effect on pool's image, helping to scrub its shady reputation. Televised competitions have also boosted player income and encouraged better skills," explains Tu Yung-hui. Tu is vice president of the Chinese Taipei Pool Association's professional committee and has been promoting the game in Taiwan for 20 years.

Broadcasts began in 1997 when Star Sports, Taiwan's first all-sports TV station, agreed to work with the CTPA. "For example, we broadcast over 100 days of both men's and women's pool competitions in 2005," points out Star Sports director Liu Chih-wei.

Star Sports also invites billiards stars from Taiwan and around the world to battle in its international tournaments. The Green Time Super Cup, which debuted in 2005, spotlighted top players from Taiwan, Japan, the US, and the Philippines, making the game more interesting for audiences used to seeing only local faces.

A lot of players used to hang out all day in pool halls hustling. "If somebody lost and couldn't pay up, there'd be hell to pay," recalls one older player. "Now things are different. Players are worth more and they play in better surroundings. The media has played an important role in transforming them into heroes."

Genuine talent coupled with media "deification" has enabled male players like Chao Fong-pang, Yang Ching-shun, "Assassin" Hsia Hui-kai, "Little Monster" Kuo Po-cheng, and "Blade Runner" Chang Pei-wei, all long-time members of the world's top 100, as well as women players like Jennifer Chen and Liu Shin-mei, to rack up seven-digit annual salaries (in NT dollars, of course). A new star rose in 2005. Wu Chia-ching, winner of the 2005 world championship, raked in NT$5.5 million, a record even if the Kuokuang Medal isn't included.

Revenues from the broadcasting of competitions are used to sweeten the pot to attract better players and spice up contests.

"In Asia only Taiwan televises pool matches," assays once director of the Asian Pool Association Tu Yung-hui, who was successful in his bid to make pool a formal event in the Asian Games. "The Philippines has no major tournaments, denying players high incomes. The situation in Japan, where pool halls still charge per head (compared to Taiwan where players hire tables by the hour), is even worse. Competitions aren't shown on television nor do they have long-term business sponsors. Top Japanese players vie for purses outside of Japan, but can't make a living competing at home."

Taiwanese players not only boast the highest average winnings in Asia, but also have the best competition records. Of Asia's ten best players, six are from Taiwan.

Taiwanese players are commonly recognized for their skills, and after retiring from tournament play many are hired to coach abroad. Chen Wei-chih was hired in 2003 to head up Singapore's team and Luo Sui was signed on to coach Indonesia's national team in July of 2005.

Asian countries are lining up to learn from Taiwan. The catalyst was the listing of pool as an official event in the Asian Games. In addition to competitors from Japan and the Philippines, already hot on Taiwan's heels, PRC players have been closing the gap in recent years. It looks like Taiwan is going to have to work harder to keep its moniker "Island of Pool."