Archery Premier League returns to Hyderabad for second season

India’s top archers assembled in Hyderabad on Thursday for the second season of the Archery Premier League, where they will pair with international rivals and face domestic opponents in staged matches.

When the dust settled at the 2026 Asian Games, archery claimed nine medals — five gold, two silver and two bronze — and, the report said, brought the mighty South Koreans down a peg or two. Two quotas for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics were secured: Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav in the Mixed Team Compound, and Kumkum Mohod in the Women’s Individual Recurve. Chikitha’s twin gold at Aichi-Nagoya drew national attention ahead of the APL season.

Chikitha credited the Archery Premier League with helping refine her competitive approach and preparation. “During the first season, I learnt a lot about managing pressure under the faster shot clock as well as techniques from my teammates while watching them train. It helped a lot in me getting better as an archer and played a part in winning gold at the Asian Games,” she said at the pre-season press conference.

APL director Anil Kamineni said interest in the league has grown since the inaugural campaign in New Delhi and outlined plans to expand the competition. He revealed intentions to add more teams and announced that the APL caravan will pitch its tent in a new city every year. The competing archers strike a pose with the APL mascot. Photo Credit: Archery Premier League.

A rematch of last season’s title clash will open this edition at the People’s Plaza, with defending champions Rajputana Royals facing Prithviraaj Yodhas on Thursday.