Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda and his wife, actor and former national-level archer Lin Laishram, have stepped into the world of sports entrepreneurship as co-owners of Prithviraj Yodhas, Delhi’s franchise in the inaugural Archery Premier League (APL). They join hands with Dr. Vikas Garg, visionary leader and Chairman at Ebix Group.
The Archery Premier League will be held from October 2 to 12, 2025, at the Yamuna Sports Complex, featuring six franchises with top Indian and international archers.
For Lin Laishram, this marks a return to her sporting roots. Inspired by her father, who served as President of the Archery Association (Manipur), she began archery at the age of 10 and went on to win medals, including the Junior National Championship in 1998. An injury cut her competitive career short, but her passion for the sport endured.
Randeep Hooda expressed his pride in this new venture, saying, “Owning a team with Lin is incredibly special. Archery has been a big part of her life, and seeing her return to the sport in this way is heartwarming. Together, we want to support these talented athletes and bring archery closer to audiences across India. Leagues help expose young talent to international players and more competition creating a larger talent pool to represent India internationally and win more competitions.”
Lin Laishram said, “Archery taught me so much, it gave me discipline, patience, and perseverance. Even though I had to leave competitive archery early, my love for the sport never went away. Now, to come back as a team owner and support young archers is a dream come true. I hope we can inspire more people, especially young girls, to pick up the bow and arrow and experience the joy of this sport.”
Dr. Vikas Garg said, “The launch of the Archery Premier League represents a transformative milestone for Indian archery—turning it into a dynamic, fan-friendly sport that promotes talent cultivation at all levels. As co-owners of the Prithviraj Yodhas, we are dedicated to fostering an environment that champions excellence, innovation, and India’s rich sporting traditions.”
The APL 2025 will showcase leading Indian archers such as Deepika Kumari, Dhiraj Bommadevara, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, and Rishabh Yadav, alongside international champions including Mike Schloesser (Netherlands), Andrea Becerra (Mexico), and Brady Ellison (USA).
Organized by the Archery Association of India under the leadership of President Shri Arjun Munda and Secretary Shri Virendra Sachdeva, with support from World Archery, World Archery Asia, and the Sports Ministry of India, the league aims to bring archery closer to fans by blending skill, strategy, and entertainment.
