ARCHERY PREMIER LEAGUE (APL) marked the successful completion of its debut season with a press conference and gathering at the Yamuna Sports Complex, Delhi. The event brought together league stakeholders, leading archers, and dignitaries to commemorate the league’s contribution in elevating Indian archery’s global profile.
The evening saw an impressive line-up of international and Indian stars, including Katherine Bauer (2024 Olympic recurve participant), Brady Ellison (Olympian and one of America’s most decorated recurve archers), Ella Gibson (World No. 1, Britain), Mathias Fullerton (World No. 2, Denmark), and India’s leading archers Deepika Kumari, Dhiraj Bommadevara (2024 Olympic recurve participant), Jyothi Vennam (compound world champion), Abhishek Verma (Asian Games medallist), and Chikitha Taniparthi.
The celebration was graced by eminent personalities including actor and APL flagbearer Ram Charan; Archery Association of India (AAI) treasurer Dr Joris; AAI president Arjun Munda, APL chairman Anil Kamineni; and AAI secretary general Virender Sachdeva; alongside a host of national and international archers.
Charan said, “APL is a vision turning into reality. We’re all going to miss this energy once it’s over tomorrow. It’s truly special to see this incredible collaboration that unites Olympians and world-class archers on one platform. The way APL has brought the sport to the forefront reminds me of how RRR was embraced by world cinema with heart, pride, and passion. I want to thank everyone on stage and the Archery Association of India for this vision. Hopefully, what we’re witnessing here isn’t just a dream, but the beginning of a new era for Indian archery.”
Munda stated, “We’ve long believed that archery deserves a professional platform in India, and the APL has truly delivered on that vision. The format, fan engagement, and athlete participation have set a new benchmark for world archery. The archers who’ve now been introduced to global audiences will continue to rise, inspiring and connecting even more deeply with aspiring talent across the country.”
Kamineni remarked, “We’re thrilled with the response. The league has united legends and rising stars through world-class production and storytelling, creating strong momentum for the sport. No other league has achieved this — and our platform has also opened new doors for world archery. Watching our archers perform alongside some of the finest talents from around the globe was truly incredible. As world’s first platform, the level of sporting excellence on display in our tournament gives us great confidence that we have a bright future ahead.”
Sachdeva added, “The success of APL’s inaugural season shows a rising passion for archery in India. Our goal is to elevate archery to mainstream sports status, and this energy reflects that achievement. The archery bonding among archers is truly remarkable. You might feel archery is smooth, but there is a lot of effort that goes into it.”
