Dubai: A confident UAE fancy their chances of winning the GGC Golf Championship, a prestigious regional event that got under way at the Doha Golf Club Thursday.

The UAE team had their moments to take the honours last year, but missed the title by a whisker when they lost to Bahrain by just one shot in Kuwait. They are now determined to use last year's near-miss as a springboard to cross the finish line without any stumble.

Khalid Yousuf, experienced Esmail Sharif, Ahmad Al Musharrakh and Abdullah Al Musharrakh will lead the UAE challenge in the main event. The UAE will also be competing in the juniors and senior categories of the championship, which has attracted the cream of talent from the Gulf.

Representing the UAE in the junior category are: Sohail Al Marzouqi, Hassan Al Musharrakh and Ahmad Al Mazroui. In addition, Faisal Al Marzouqi will be competing for individual honours in the junior division.

Adel Zarouni, Khalid Al Halyan and Mohammad Al Musharrakh will spearhead the UAE challenge in the senior division, which promises to unfold an intriguing battle for the title.

Sponsored by Al Naboodah and Emirates NBD, the UAE squads have already played a couple of practice rounds and if their early form is any indication, they are expected to present a stiff challenge.

"What happened last year is history and we hope the experience of playing in the high-pressure final against Bahrain will stand us in a good stead when our teams compete in the championship," said Shaikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation.