No More Begging For Equipment Or Exposure: Archers Dhiraj, Jyothi Praise Sports Reforms Under PM Modi
Indian archers Dhiraj Bommedevara and Jyothi Surekha Vennam on Tuesday credited the Centre’s sports reforms and athlete-focused support system for transforming the country’s sporting ecosystem, saying athletes no longer have to “beg” for equipment, exposure or financial backing.
Speaking during a press conference organised by the Sports Authority of India, the two archers reflected on the changes in Indian sports as Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed 12 years in office.
Dhiraj, who will represent India in the recurve category at the 2026 Asian Games, said the biggest change has been the shift in how athletes are supported by the system.
“Earlier, whether it was the athletes or the federation, we had to go to the system and explain what we needed to compete at the highest level. Now, the system comes to us and asks what we need to reach the top,” Dhiraj told IANS.
The archer has received approximately Rs 66.28 lakh in support under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) during the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle. Jyothi, a member of the TOPS core group, has received nearly Rs 24.56 lakh in assistance so far.
Dhiraj pointed to the steady increase in institutional support since 2017, saying athletes today operate with fewer administrative hurdles and greater access to resources.
“We have a free hand now. There are no obstacles holding us back. Being asked directly what we want is the biggest shift I have seen,” he said.
Earlier this year, several leading Indian archers, including Dhiraj, Jyothi, Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das, attended a foreign training camp in Mexico ahead of Archery World Cup Stage 1. Organised under NTPC CSR support, the camp was held from March 26 to April 5 at a cost of Rs 57.42 lakh.
Preparations for the 2026 Asian Games are currently underway through the Senior National Archery Coaching Camp at the SAI National Centre of Excellence in Sonipat. The camp, running from May 20 to June 7, has brought together 16 elite archers across recurve and compound categories.
The archers are also scheduled to attend an exposure camp in Japan from September 5 to 18 ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which begin on September 19.
Jyothi, who is set to compete in her fourth successive Asian Games, said India’s sporting infrastructure and athlete development programmes had improved significantly in recent years.
“We now have world-class facilities in India. There is funding for exposure trips, equipment upgrades, foreign coaches and international tournaments,” she said.
She also highlighted the role of the Khelo India programme in identifying grassroots talent and providing athletes access to elite training centres.
“The increase in medal tallies at multi-sport events reflects the kind of support athletes are receiving from the government, SAI, sports federations and private organisations,” Jyothi said.
