Archery Premier League 2024: India’s Top Archers to Compete in Inaugural Season in New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 18 (TheTrendingPeople.com) — Indian archery is set for a historic moment this October as the inaugural edition of the Archery Premier League (APL) takes place at the Yamuna Sports Complex, New Delhi. The 11-day event will feature some of the biggest names in world archery, including Olympians, world record holders, and rising stars from India and abroad.
A Power-Packed Line-Up of Indian Stars
Among the headline names are four-time Olympian Deepika Kumari (World No. 3) and Paris Olympian Dhiraj Bommadevara (World No. 14), both of whom bring invaluable international experience. Joining them are compound world record holders Rishabh Yadav (World No. 9) and Jyothi Surekha Vennam (World No. 3), who recently set the global stage alight with their consistent medal-winning performances.
Veteran compound archer Abhishek Verma (World No. 10), along with Prathamesh Bhalchandra Fuge (World No. 11), Priyansh (World No. 16), and Parneet Kaur (World No. 17), have also confirmed participation.
From the AAI’s recent selection trials, stalwarts Tarundeep Rai (Rank No. 4) and Atanu Das (Rank No. 5) will compete in the recurve division, while women’s recurve will feature Ankita Bhakat (Rank No. 2) and Bhajan Kaur (Rank No. 6), both of whom represented India at the Paris Olympics.
The recurve roster is further strengthened by top-ranked men such as Neeraj Chauhan (Rank No. 2), Rahul (Rank No. 3), Rohit Kumar (Rank No. 6), Mrinal Chauhan (Rank No. 7), Sachin Gupta (Rank No. 8), and Krish Kumar (Rank No. 9). On the women’s side, promising names include Gatha Anandrao Khadake (Rank No. 3), Sharvari Somnath Shende (Rank No. 4), Basanti Mahato (Rank No. 5), Kumkum Anil Mohod (Rank No. 7), Tisha Punia (Rank No. 8), and Anshika Kumari (Rank No. 9).
In compound archery, the men’s field will feature Aman Saini (Rank No. 1), reigning World Champion Ojas Pravin Deotale (Rank No. 5), Sahil Rajesh Jadhav (Rank No. 6), Chittibomma Jignas (Rank No. 8), and Pulkit Kajla (Rank No. 9). Women’s compound includes Prithika Pradeep (Rank No. 3), Taniparthi Chikitha (Rank No. 4), Avneet Kaur (Rank No. 5), Madala Surya Hamsini (Rank No. 6), Swati Dudhwal (Rank No. 7), Madhura Dhamangaonkar (Rank No. 8), and Pranjal Rajendra Salve (Rank No. 9).
Format and Global Participation
The Archery Premier League will feature six franchises, with Indian and international stars divided across teams. Recurve archers will shoot at 70 meters, while compound archers will compete at 50 meters, all under floodlights for a dynamic viewing experience.
To ensure a truly global showcase, the Archery Association of India (AAI) has allocated slots based on the World Top 10 and Top 20 rankings, alongside results from India’s latest selection trials.
Leaders Speak: “A Historic Step for Indian Archery”
AAI President Arjun Munda expressed confidence in the league’s impact:
“We are delighted to have the presence of India’s best archers in the first season of the Archery Premier League. Their presence will drive eyeballs to the sport and ensure a high level of competition. It will further make the league an exciting venture for fans across the nation.”
AAI Secretary General Virendra Sachdeva emphasized India’s rising stature in world archery:
“Indian archers have long been making their mark on the world stage. It is because of their success that we are able to launch the first edition of the Archery Premier League. This elite competition will make the sport a must-watch for fans worldwide.”
The initiative has received backing from World Archery, World Archery Asia, and the Sports Ministry of India, signaling strong international and domestic support.
Why It Matters
For India, the Archery Premier League represents a major milestone in popularizing archery as a spectator sport. With the IPL model already transforming cricket, and similar leagues for kabaddi and badminton thriving, APL aims to give archery the visibility it has long lacked.
Hosting the league in Delhi, just a year after India’s strong showing at the Paris Olympics, adds momentum to the country’s sporting growth. For young archers across the nation, it offers a platform to showcase talent, learn from global champions, and inspire the next generation.
On the global stage, the league places India at the epicenter of world archery, bringing together elite recurve and compound shooters in a franchise-based competition that could rival archery events in Korea, Europe, and the Americas.
Final Thoughts from The Trending People
The Archery Premier League is more than just a new sporting tournament—it is a declaration of intent. With India’s biggest names in archery joining forces with international stars, the event promises not only thrilling competition but also a lasting impact on how archery is perceived by fans.
If successful, APL could elevate Indian archery into mainstream sporting culture and further cement India’s role as a global powerhouse in the sport.