World No. 4 recurve archer Dhiraj Bommadevara has called for a mix of daytime and night matches in the Archery Premier League (APL), saying exposure to different shooting conditions could help Indian archers prepare better for major international competitions.
The Asian Games gold medallist, who became the first Indian man to win an individual World Cup Final gold, has featured in both seasons of the league. Both editions have been held entirely under lights, but Dhiraj believes introducing daytime contests alongside evening matches would give archers a more varied competitive experience.
“It is good that we are getting opportunities to shoot both in the morning and at night. That helps us prepare for different situations,” Dhiraj, who represents Mighty Marathas in the APL, told PTI.
“We never know whether a competition will take place in the morning or at night. We need to prepare for every possibility.”
International competitions, including the Olympics and World Cups, can feature matches at different times of the day. Dhiraj said archers must be ready to adapt rather than rely on a fixed schedule.
“I cannot say definitively whether it makes a difference or not. But it is good that we are getting opportunities to shoot both in the morning and at night,” he said.
WIND ADDS A CHALLENGE
The APL’s move from Delhi to Hyderabad has brought another variable into play: wind. Dhiraj said the conditions in Hyderabad have been markedly different, forcing archers to pay greater attention to communication and tactical coordination between recurve and compound shooters.
“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.
The changing conditions have added another dimension to the league, giving archers the opportunity to test their adjustments and decision-making in a competitive setting.
LEARNING FROM THE BEST
Beyond the matches, Dhiraj believes the APL has helped Indian archers build closer relationships with international competitors and learn more about how they train and handle pressure.
The league features several leading names in the sport, including Dutch compound archer Mike Schloesser, who represents the Marathas, Mathias Fullerton of Chero Archers and Tokyo Olympics champion Mete Gazoz of Rajputana Royals.
Dhiraj credited the league, particularly its inaugural season, with helping Indian and overseas archers become more comfortable interacting with one another.
“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.
“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.”
Those conversations, he said, offer insights beyond what archers can observe during competition. Training sessions allow them to understand how rivals prepare, while matches reveal how they respond to pressure.
“During tournaments, we see how different archers think and handle situations. During training, we get to understand how they prepare for those moments,” Dhiraj said.
HOPES FOR KOREAN ARCHERS
Dhiraj also expressed hope that South Korean archers, among the most successful in the sport, would take part in future editions of the APL. Their absence, however, has not stopped Indian archers from benefiting from the international field.
“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,” he said.
South Korean archers have missed the first two seasons because the league clashed with national events in their home country. Dhiraj hopes their participation in future editions would further strengthen the learning opportunities available to Indian archers.
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