MUMBAI: Gearing up for London Olympics, ESPN Star Sports has launched a new show School Quiz 2012 with HDFC Life as the title sponsor.

To be hosted by ESS? presenter & commentator Alan Wilkins, the on-air telecast of HDFC Life School Quiz 2012 begins on 1 June.

The televised broadcast of HDFC School Quiz 2012 precedes London Olympics 2012 which will also be showcased on ESS.

Based on the theme of Olympics, the school quiz will judge the sporting quotients of young minds across the country. The television rounds will see 72 teams with two members each vying for the ?India?s Top Sports School Quiz Team? title.

In order to make the television rounds of the quiz accessible to students across the country, ESS will hold a grand entrance exam for students studying in Class VI to Class X on 8 April in 23 cities across the country.

The quiz show will also have a special section where current and past Indian Olympians will pose teaser questions to participating students.

ESPN Software India EVP ad sales Sanjay Kailash said, ?We are delighted to announce the launch of HDFC Life School Quiz 2012. The quiz tests not just skills and knowledge but also provides healthy, popular entertainment to the vast nationwide audience. This is an initiative which is extremely close to our hearts. I am eager to see how children from this sports mad country fare in this special Olympics edition.?

Added HDFC Life EVP head marketing & direct channels Sanjay Tripathy, "It is our privilege to be associated with School Quiz 2012 which will reach out to children across the nation. The School Quiz will provide a platform for the participants to represent their school, and bring pride and glory to their institution thereby improving their knowledge and enhancing confidence level."

A total of 72 teams, 18 teams from each zone, will qualify for the TV rounds.