Hyderabad will be the focal point of the archery world this October as the Archery Premier League (APL) returns for its second season. From October 8 to 18, People’s Plaza on Necklace Road will witness eleven days of top-tier competition, featuring six franchise teams and some of the finest archers globally. The league, supported by the Archery Association of India (AAI) and the Government of Telangana, aims to build on the success of its inaugural edition in New Delhi last year.
The event will bring together renowned archers, including former World No. 1 Deepika Kumari, four-time Olympian Atanu Das, and other international stars, enhancing India’s Olympic medal prospects in archery. A unique aspect of the league is the inclusion of both recurve and compound archers, male and female, competing under high-pressure conditions with a 15-second shot clock, emphasizing speed and precision. APL, endorsed by World Archery and World Archery Asia, stands as the world’s sole franchise-based archery league.
Anil Kamineni, Director of APL, expressed excitement about hosting Season 2 in Hyderabad, praising the city’s sporting culture and its capacity to host such a significant event. The tournament will feature six franchises, with a total of 48 Indian and international archers vying for victory across different disciplines. The competition format includes a double round-robin stage leading to the semi-finals and the final showdown on October 18.
Virendra Sachdeva, secretary general of AAI and director of APL, highlighted the league’s role in elevating India’s archery standards and providing a platform for athletes to excel on the global stage. Season 1 saw Rajputana Royals clinch the title, with participation from renowned archers like Olympic gold medallist Mete Gazoz and Compound World Champion Ella Gibson, setting the stage for an exciting Season 2.
