Is “Rise to prominence” true?

In the novel, Gao Qiu rises to favor because of his skill at cuju (ancient Chinese football); Chapter 002 of "Water Margin" writes: "高俅只得把平生本事都使出来，奉承端王。那身分模样，这气球一似鳔胶粘在身上的。" Southern Song historical records also note that he was appreciated by Prince Duan (Emperor Huizong) for his cuju skills, which indeed has a historical basis, but he does not have a separate biography in the "History of Song".