On the auspicious occasion of Dussehra, celebrated on October 2, 2025, global star Ram Charan inaugurated the first-ever Archery Premier League (APL) at Ramleela Maidan in New Delhi. The launch was witnessed by thousands of fans. Ram Charan, known for his roles in movies such as Magadheera, Rangasthalam, and RRR, performed the Raavan Dahan, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil, which aligns with the focus, discipline, and victory embodied by archery.
Ram Charan expressed his happiness at being the brand ambassador for the league and emphasized the importance of supporting sportsmen and archers. He also highlighted archery's historical significance in Indian culture, referencing the Ramayana and Mahabharata. He expressed his hope that Indian sports enthusiasts would encourage and support the sport. He also acknowledged that he had practiced archery in his movie RRR. He conveyed his gratitude to the organizers and the media for their support.
Anil Kamineni, Chairman of the Archery Premier League, brought together the Archery Association of India, World Archery, World Archery Asia, and the Sports Ministry of India to make the APL a reality. Kamineni envisioned the APL as a blend of tradition, entertainment, and competition that creates opportunities for Indian talent and connects with fans.
The Archery Premier League features six franchise teams: Prithviraj Yodhas (Delhi), Mighty Marathas (Maharashtra), Kakatiya Knights (Telangana), Rajputana Royals (Rajasthan), Chero Archers (Jharkhand), and Chola Chiefs (Tamil Nadu). Each team consists of 8 archers, for a total of 48 archers, including both male and female players, with a mix of India's finest archers and 12 international stars. The 11-day competition will conclude with the final on October 12.
The APL aims to bring archery into the mainstream spotlight and generate interest ahead of the next Olympic cycle. The league is designed to replicate the pressure and intensity of the Olympics. It provides a platform for Indian and international archers to share training methods, strategies, and mindsets, to elevate the standards of Indian archery.
