Dhiraj Bommadevara urges Archery Premier League to stage both day and night matches
World No. 4 recurve archer Dhiraj Bommadevara said on October 9, 2026 that the Archery Premier League, now hosted in Hyderabad after moving from Delhi, should include both daytime and night contests to give Indian archers experience across different shooting conditions. The Asian Games gold medallist made the call while speaking to PTI ahead of the APL's ongoing season.
Bommadevara, who has featured in both seasons of the league and is the first Indian man to win an individual World Cup Final gold, noted that the APL's first two editions were held entirely under lights. He argued that exposure to varied match timings would help competitors acclimatise to the range of conditions they may face at major international events.
On the need to prepare for different schedules, he said: "We never know whether a competition will take place in the morning or at night. We need to prepare for every possibility." He added earlier in the interview: "It is good that we are getting opportunities to shoot both in the morning and at night. That helps us prepare for different situations." The article notes that international competitions, including the Olympics and World Cups, can feature matches at different times of the day.
Bommadevara pointed to Hyderabad's weather as another variable since the league moved from Delhi. "The main change is the wind factor. There was not much wind in Delhi, especially at night. In Hyderabad, however, we have experienced considerable wind, whether we shoot in the morning or at night," he said, describing how wind has altered competitive preparation.
He also highlighted tactical and communication adjustments required within teams when conditions change, saying the shifting environment has offered archers opportunities to test decision-making during competition. Bommadevara represents Mighty Marathas in the APL and has observed how these match conditions affect coordination between recurve and compound shooters.
On the broader value of the league, he described its role in fostering closer ties between Indian and international archers and in revealing rivals' approaches to pressure and preparation. "We talk to everyone. But I would like to give credit to the league as a whole. When the first season started, that was when we began opening up more," he said, adding: "Earlier, we would exchange greetings such as good morning or good afternoon. If we asked a few extra questions, we would share some information. But the league, especially its first season, helped us open up and talk much more."
Bommadevara named several leading internationals taking part in the APL, citing Dutch compound archer Mike Schloesser, Mathias Fullerton of Chero Archers and Tokyo Olympics champion Mete Gazoz of Rajputana Royals as examples of the competition's overseas presence. He said those interactions during training and matches are instructive: "During tournaments, we see how different archers think and handle situations. During training, we get to understand how they prepare for those moments."
On South Korean participation, he said: "Wherever you have an opportunity to learn, you should take it. Even though the Koreans are not here, it does not mean we are missing out on everything. Of course, it would be good if they participated." The article adds that South Korean archers missed the first two seasons because the league clashed with national events in their home country, and Bommadevara expressed hope they would join future editions to further enhance learning opportunities for Indian archers.