Some leaders promise much but deliver little. Others talk a good game using words that have no meaning. And there there are those whose actions speak volumes.

Gaspar Oliveira is a man of action and it has been his willingness to work behind the scenes that has helped foster the growth of pool in Bermuda.

Arriving on the Island from the Azores, Oliveira has worked his way up the ranks to become president of the International Pool League.

And with less than a year remaining before he returns to Portugal the normally soft-spoken Oliveira spoke this week of his accomplishments and the strides made within a sport which for many years wasn't taken seriously.

"When I came we started with just eight teams and now we have 13 and maybe next year we'll have 15 or 16. A lot of preparation, time and energy has gone into improving the league, bringing in teams and sending ours to Las Vegas and other places for tournaments,'' said Oliveira, who has been a playing member on three teams -- 1991, '92 and '93 -- that have visited Las Vegas for international competition.

"Anyone can tell you how things have changed since I became president. But it has not just been myself. I have received a lot of help from people like my vice-president Gary Bascome and many others.

"For example, when I started four years ago many teams did not even finish their games, but now you have all the teams finishing games. There are more teams and the interest is there. The sport is picking up more and more and growing a lot.

"And there's been a lot of change in the players. Now they have more respect for each other and the ambiance is much, much better.'' Such has been the enthusiasm towards the sport that now being considered is the dividing of teams into divisional play.

The Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation have already been approached about finding suitable facilities to involve younger members of society in the game.

However, hindering such a move is the fact that most pool facilities are contained in bars, which prevent access by those under the age of 18.

"I always have liked to play pool and I like to show it to the young kids and give them something to do other than being on the streets,'' continued Oliveira.

After starting out as a member of the Vasco Da Gama team five years ago, Oliveira quickly progressed to become captain.

From there he began to take a greater involvement in the administration of the league itself, eventually being voted in as president.

Once back in Portugal he aims to continue to promote the sport. "They play a lot of pool in Portugal, but they do not play a lot of organised competition like here and that's what I hope to do -- create a league there and be able to give them exposure and maybe bring teams to Vegas as well.

"We could even pass by Bermuda and have a few games here.'' Following is the Bermuda squad due to travel to Las Vegas later this month: Gary Bascome, Richard Foggo, Dennis Parsons, Brian Walker, Mike Zimmerman and Paul Doidge.

ON CUE -- Outgoing International Pool League president Gaspar Oliveira has high hopes for the local game.