Archery Premier League Draft Unveiled in New Delhi; Six Franchises Finalize Star-Studded Squads for Inaugural Season
New Delhi, September 18, 2025 – The Archery Association of India (AAI) officially launched the inaugural Archery Premier League (APL) in a grand ceremony in New Delhi, unveiling six franchise teams and their full squads following a dynamic player draft.
A total of 48 archers — including 36 Indians and 12 international stars — were selected by the franchises:
- Prithviraj Yodhas (New Delhi)
- Mighty Marathas (Maharashtra)
- Kakatiya Knights (Telangana)
- Rajputana Royals (Rajasthan)
- Chero Archers (Jharkhand)
- Chola Chiefs (Tamil Nadu)
Each team picked eight players: three recurve archers and three compound archers, split evenly between men and women, over eight rounds using a randomized draft sequence.
🔹 Top Picks & Highlights by Franchise
Prithviraj Yodhas (New Delhi)
Led by India’s star Abhishek Verma (World No. 10) and World No. 1 Andrea Becerra, the Yodhas secured a well-balanced lineup that includes top-ranked Indian and international archers like Krish Kumar, Matias Grande, and Gatha Anandrao.
Mighty Marathas (Maharashtra)
With World No. 1 Mike Schloesser and Olympian Alejandra Valencia, the Marathas have formed a formidable team, also featuring Aman Saini, part of India’s gold-medal winning compound team at the 2025 World Championships.
Kakatiya Knights (Telangana)
Telangana’s squad features world record holder Jyothi Surekha, Olympian Elia Canales, and Nico Wiener, creating one of the most competitive combinations in the league.
Rajputana Royals (Rajasthan)
The Royals boast a world-class lineup with Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Mete Gazoz, World No. 2 Ella Gibson, and Prathamesh Fuge, reinforcing their ambitions for the title.
Chero Archers (Jharkhand)
Veteran Olympian Atanu Das, Katharina Bauer of Germany, and Mathias Fullerton, a 2025 World Championship silver medallist, headline this powerful squad.
Chola Chiefs (Tamil Nadu)
With five-time Olympic medallist Brady Ellison, Deepika Kumari, and Rishabh Yadav (a World Championship gold and silver medallist in 2025), the Chola Chiefs have emerged as fan favourites.
🎯 Official Launch, Anthem & Brand Ambassador
During the event, the AAI also launched the league’s official anthem and visual branding, while announcing acclaimed Indian actor and filmmaker Ram Charan as the brand ambassador.
AAI President Arjun Munda called the league a “watershed moment” for Indian archery, saying it would bring the sport to rural and tribal areas and prepare athletes for global competitions.
AAI Secretary General Virendra Sachdeva said the league’s launch fulfills a long-standing vision and will serve as a crucial step towards Olympic success.
Anil Kamenini, Director of APL, confirmed the league will open with a spectacular ceremony on Dussehra, October 2, at Ram Leela Grounds, Delhi, with Ram Charan in attendance.
🏹 Season Dates & Venue
The inaugural Archery Premier League will be held from October 2 to 12, 2025, at the Yamuna Sports Complex, New Delhi, with world-class athletes from India and abroad competing in a landmark event for the sport in the country.
