The Penang Black Panthers and the Negeri Sembilan Antlers boosted their squads with Thai players ahead of the upcoming Sepak Takraw League (STL) Champions Cup.

The Black Panthers, who won their third straight STL Premier title last Sunday, brought in Aekkasit Naphom to replace Saiful Azri Shahnon to increase their striking firepower, which already includes 2018 Asian Games gold medalist Azlan Alias.

Noramizi Nordin, who did not feature for Division 1 champions Negeri Sembilan throughout the league season, made way for tekong Niphat Wongprasert.

Both Thai players are the only foreign stars to feature at the tournament scheduled to run from December 7th to 16th.

There were also movements from other teams, including STL Premier runners-up ATM Guardian bringing in Asrie Isa and Nazmi Najib as reinforcements, the Johor Tigris getting Hairee Haidzir and Fadzli Muhammad on board, and the Sabah Mountaineers snapping up Hanafiah Dollah.

This year's Champions Cup winners and runners-up will take home RM25,000 and RM15,000 respectively.