Bollywood duo steps into sports entrepreneurship with a deep personal connection to archery
Mumbai/New Delhi, 3rd October 2025: Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda and his wife, actor and former national-level archer Lin Laishram, have entered 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 of Ebix Group.
The Archery Premier League, backed by the Archery Association of India (AAI) and supported by World Archery, World Archery Asia, and the Sports Ministry of India, will be held from October 2 to 12, 2025, at the Yamuna Sports Complex. The 10-day tournament will feature six franchises competing in a double round-robin format, culminating in semifinals and the grand final. Each team will field eight archers—four men and four women—bringing a gender-balanced format to the forefront of Indian sports.
For Lin Laishram, the league is more than just business—it is a homecoming. Introduced to archery by her father, who once served as President of the Archery Association of Manipur, Lin began competing at the age of 10. She later trained at the prestigious Tata Archery Academy, winning medals and clinching the Junior National Championship in 1998. Although an injury forced her early exit from competition, her passion for archery remained undiminished.
Speaking on his new role, Randeep Hooda said: “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 create opportunities for young talent to face international competition and expand India’s potential at global tournaments.”
Lin Laishram added: “Archery taught me discipline, patience, and perseverance. Though I had to leave competitive archery early, my love for the sport never went away. Coming back as a team owner to support young athletes is a dream come true. I hope we can inspire more people, especially young girls, to embrace the bow and arrow.”
Dr. Vikas Garg, Owner of Prithviraj Yodhas and Chairman at Ebix Group, said: “The launch of the Archery Premier League represents a transformative milestone for Indian archery—turning it into a dynamic, fan-friendly sport. Together, as co-owners of Prithviraj Yodhas, we are committed to fostering excellence, innovation, and the rich sporting traditions of India.”
The league will feature leading Indian archers including Deepika Kumari, Dhiraj Bommadevara, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, and Rishabh Yadav, alongside international champions such as Mike Schloesser (Netherlands), Andrea Becerra (Mexico), and Brady Ellison (USA). Designed to blend skill, strategy, and entertainment, the APL is set to redefine archery as a mainstream spectator sport.
About Archery Premier League (APL)
The Archery Premier League is India’s first professional archery league, organized by the Archery Association of India (AAI) under the leadership of AAI President Shri Arjun Munda and AAI Secretary Shri Virendra Sachdeva. With international support and a global lineup of athletes, the APL aims to promote archery, nurture grassroots talent, and make the sport more accessible to Indian fans.
