Indian archery’s biggest icon, Deepika Kumari, believes the upcoming Archery Premier League (APL) could be the decisive factor in her pursuit of the one prize that has eluded her illustrious career: an Olympic medal.
The former world No.1 and multiple-time Olympian has hailed the APL as a landmark moment for Indian sport, one that will elevate both her own game and the future of archery in the country. For Deepika, who has carried India’s hopes at four Olympic Games already, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics represent not just another shot at glory, but possibly her fifth and final Olympic campaign. At 34, the recurve archer knows time is short, but she sees the APL as a platform that will allow her to prepare for the biggest stage.
“For me, LA 2028 is the ultimate target,” Deepika said. “I have always dreamt of standing on the Olympic podium, and I believe the Archery Premier League can power my journey towards that dream. The league will replicate the kind of pressure and intensity we face at the Olympics playing in front of packed audiences, every arrow carrying importance, and competing against the world’s best. Learning to thrive in that environment will make me stronger for Los Angeles.”
Few athletes in India embody the journey of modern archery like Deepika Kumari. Born in Ranchi, she rose from modest beginnings to become the world No.1 archer, collecting World Cup medals, World Championship podiums, and Asian Games honours along the way. A recipient of both the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri, Deepika’s story has inspired thousands of youngsters to take up the bow. Yet, despite her achievements, the Olympic medal has remained elusive. The APL, she believes, could be the environment that helps her finally cross that barrier.
Global Stars and Shared Learning
One of the most exciting aspects of the APL is the presence of global stars, including American legend Brady Ellison, a multiple-time Olympic medallist and one of the greatest archers of the modern era. For Deepika, competing with and against such names provides invaluable opportunities.
“When Indian and international archers share the same team, we exchange training methods, strategies, and mindsets. That is how standards rise. I am excited to see how we push each other, which will help in lifting the level of Indian archery,” she explained.
The league’s franchise model ensures Indian archers will rub shoulders with world-class competitors in an atmosphere designed to replicate high-pressure scenarios.
While the APL is crucial for elite athletes, Deepika insists its greater legacy may lie in how it transforms the sport at the grassroots level.
“Archery is an expensive sport. Many children in villages with great talent cannot afford equipment or academies. With big companies investing in the league and CSR funds reaching the right places, we can break that barrier. This league will not only give youngsters visibility but also real opportunities to pursue archery as a career,” she said.
For years, India’s challenge in archery has been to broaden its base. Deepika hopes the league’s visibility will make the sport more accessible, creating a pathway for the next generation of talent.
Another crucial element of the APL is its focus on broadcast visibility and fan engagement. Unlike traditional archery competitions, the league format introduces innovative rules and shorter, faster-paced matches, designed to keep spectators hooked both in the stadium and on television.
Deepika believes this change is long overdue:
“Archery has such a rich history in our culture, but very few people truly understand it. Through television, advertising, and social media, the league can capture attention and make archery a sport that inspires the next generation. The more people know about us, the more children will dream of becoming archers.”
A Landmark Event for Indian Archery
The Archery Premier League, set to debut on October 2 at the Yamuna Sports Complex in New Delhi, will run until October 12. It will bring together leading Indian and international archers across recurve and compound disciplines, competing for franchises in front of live audiences during prime-time evening slots. The league’s organisers promise not just high-quality sport but also a festival-like atmosphere, with entertainment, fan interaction, and youth outreach programmes. For India, hosting such a league is a statement of intent, placing archery alongside other professional franchise models like cricket, kabaddi, and badminton.
For Deepika Kumari, the APL represents more than just another competition. It is the bridge between a storied past and the ultimate dream she still chases.
“The APL could be the bridge between where we are today and where we want to be at the Olympics. It gives us the atmosphere, the challenges, and the motivation to keep pushing forward,” she said.
The Archery Premier League arrives at a crucial time for Indian sport. With stars like Deepika Kumari at its centre, it offers both the spectacle of world-class competition and the promise of grassroots transformation. For Deepika, the league could be the missing piece in her quest for Olympic glory in Los Angeles.
As the bows are strung and the arrows take flight in New Delhi this October, fans will not just be watching a new league they will be witnessing the start of a movement that could redefine the future of Indian archery.
