Telangana Government Endorses Archery Premier League Season 2
The Government of Telangana has officially announced its support for the Archery Premier League (APL) ahead of its second season, marking a significant step in the state's sports development. The league, described as the world's only franchise-based archery competition, will be held in Hyderabad from October 8 to 18, 2026, and has been recognized as a marquee sporting event by the state government.
Telangana will also field its own franchise, the Kakatiya Knights, further strengthening the state's association with India's premier archery tournament. The hosting of APL in Hyderabad is expected to provide fresh momentum to Telangana's archery ecosystem, particularly in rural and tribal areas where archery has deep roots among the Koya and Gond communities.
Grassroots Development and Olympic Ambitions
The state is home to Sports Schools, Eklavya Model Residential Schools, and Khelo India Centres that nurture young talent. By bringing world-class archers to Hyderabad, APL aims to transform this grassroots foundation into greater visibility, wider participation, and new competitive opportunities for aspiring archers across Telangana.
Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy stated, "This government is determined to give a new direction to sports and make Hyderabad the preferred hub for sports in the country. We are building a robust sports ecosystem, and by hosting major events, we are taking a step closer to our dream of preparing Hyderabad to host the Olympics in 2036."
League Structure and International Participation
Season 2 of APL, supported by the Government of Telangana and the Archery Association of India (AAI), will feature six franchise teams comprising 48 Indian and international recurve and compound archers, including Olympic medallists, World Champions, and top-ranked stars. The league's distinctive 15-second shot clock creates a fast-paced, spectator-friendly format while providing Indian archers with regular exposure to elite international competition.
Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Special Chief Secretary (Sports), confirmed the announcement, saying, "In another two months, we will be hosting the Archery Premier League." The announcement was made during the launch of the Young India Sports University logo and website in Hyderabad, attended by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha.
