Indian archery entered a new era on Thursday with the official launch of the Archery Premier League (APL), a franchise-based tournament that promises to reshape the sporting landscape for the discipline in the country.
At a grand ceremony in New Delhi, six franchises unveiled their squads for the league’s first edition, marking a historic day for archery in India. In all, 48 archers were drafted across the six teams 36 Indians and 12 international stars ensuring a blend of homegrown talent and global pedigree. Each franchise picked eight archers, comprising three recurve specialists and three compound specialists, with the draft sequence determined by random draws across eight rounds.
The six franchises confirmed for the inaugural edition are:
- Prithviraj Yodhas (New Delhi)
- Mighty Marathas (Maharashtra)
- Kakatiya Knights (Telangana)
- Rajputana Royals (Rajasthan)
- Chero Archers (Jharkhand)
- Chola Chiefs (Tamil Nadu)
Star-Studded Draft Selections
The draft lived up to expectations with several big names joining the league:
- Prithviraj Yodhas (Delhi): The capital-based franchise secured Abhishek Verma (World No. 10) and Andrea Becerra (World No. 1, Compound Women), alongside Matias Grande (World No. 6) and Indian prodigy Krish Kumar.
- Mighty Marathas (Maharashtra): Anchored by Mike Schloesser (World No. 1, Compound Men) and Alejandra Valencia (dual Olympic medalist, World No. 3), the Marathas also roped in Bommadevara Dhiraj (World No. 14) and national champion Aman Saini.
- Kakatiya Knights (Telangana): The Knights picked world-record holder Jyothi Surekha (World No. 3), Spain’s Elia Canales (World No. 10, Youth Olympic silver medalist), and Austrian star Nico Wiener (World No. 3), bolstered by strong Indian talent including Neeraj Chauhan and Avneet Kaur.
- Rajputana Royals (Rajasthan): With Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Mete Gazoz (World No. 7) and Britain’s Ella Gibson (World No. 2) in their ranks, the Royals emerged as one of the most formidable squads. They also added Prathamesh Fuge and Ojas Pravin, members of India’s World Championship-winning team in Gwangju.
- Chero Archers (Jharkhand): Veteran Olympian Atanu Das joined forces with Germany’s Katharina Bauer (World No. 9) and Denmark’s Mathias Fullerton (World No. 2, Compound silver medalist at 2025 Worlds). The squad blends international experience with promising Indian youngsters.
- Chola Chiefs (Tamil Nadu): The Chiefs made headlines by signing Brady Ellison (World No. 1, five-time Olympic medalist) and Indian icons Tarundeep Rai and Deepika Kumari. World record-holder Rishabh Yadav further strengthens the line-up, alongside Meeri-Marita Paas (World No. 5).
A Festival of Archery
The unveiling was more than just about teams. The Archery Association of India (AAI) also launched the official anthem and dynamic branding for the league. Adding to the excitement, actor and filmmaker Ram Charan was announced as the brand ambassador.
AAI President Shri Ashok Munda called the launch a “watershed moment” for Indian archery.
“Through this league, we wish to expand our reach across India, including rural and tribal regions. Our goal is not just exposure for athletes but also to push India towards becoming the No. 1 ranked archery nation globally.”
Secretary General Shri Virendra Sachdeva reflected on the emotional significance of the league, linking it to India’s cultural and historical ties to archery.
“This has been a dream many years in the making. Now, with these balanced squads, we hope to create a platform that leads to Olympic glory.”
APL Director Shri Anil Kamenini added that the first season will have a festive beginning:
“With World Archery’s support, we have brought the best archers to India. The opening will be on Dussehra, October 2nd, at Ram Leela Grounds in Delhi, with Ram Charan present to inspire fans. It will be a celebration of sport and culture.”
Tournament Details
- Dates: October 2 – October 12, 2025
- Venue: Yamuna Sports Complex, New Delhi
- Format: Six franchises, eight archers each, competing across recurve and compound disciplines
A New Chapter for Indian Archery
The Archery Premier League represents a landmark initiative, blending franchise sport with India’s archery heritage. For Indian archers, it provides the chance to compete alongside and against world-class names on home soil. For fans, it promises a unique, high-energy spectacle that could spark the same passion seen in cricket, kabaddi, and badminton leagues.
As India chases Olympic medals in archery, the APL could well be the game-changer that accelerates the journey.
