Indian archers Dhiraj Bommedevara and Jyothi Surekha Vennam commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sports initiatives, highlighting a significant shift in the country’s sports environment. They emphasized that athletes and federations no longer need to plead for top-notch equipment, foreign exposure, or financial aid. Dhiraj, gearing up for the Asian Games 2026 in the recurve category, has received around Rs 66.28 lakh support through TOPS for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle. Jyothi, a member of the TOPS core group, has received close to Rs 24.56 lakh in support so far.
During a press conference organized by the Sports Authority of India, the archers shared their views on PM Modi’s 12-year tenure and its impact on Indian sports. Dhiraj expressed his appreciation for the increasing government support, noting a fundamental change where the system now proactively asks athletes and federations what they require to excel, a stark contrast to the previous scenario where they had to seek support.
The archers also highlighted the continuous support and improvement in facilities over the years. They mentioned a recent foreign training camp in Mexico supported by NTPC CSR before the Archery World Cup Stage 1, providing valuable international exposure to top Indian archers like Dhiraj, Jyothi, Deepika Kumari, and Atanu Das. The ongoing Senior National Archery Coaching Camp in Sonipat aims to enhance archers’ skills and readiness for upcoming competitions, focusing on building combinations and consistency.
Looking ahead to the Asian Games 2026, the archers will undergo an exposure camp in Japan to further enhance their skills. Jyothi, set to participate in her fourth consecutive Asian Games, praised the improved opportunities and infrastructure in India, including world-class facilities and increased funding for sports development. She highlighted initiatives like Khelo India that identify talent at grassroots levels and provide necessary support for athletes to excel, leading to a rise in medal tallies at multi-sport events.
