Putrajaya offers free classes as administrative capital records weight issues, diabetes rate above national average
Free sepak takraw and jump rope classes are being organised for children in Putrajaya as part of efforts to tackle obesity in the federal administrative capital.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said the two sports were chosen because they were low-cost and could be done at home.
“These two activities do not require big expenditure and children can practise on their own at home,” she said at the launch of the classes as part of the “Putrajaya Aktif” programme.
Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) will be holding the classes twice a month, during the second and fourth weekends, throughout the year.
The next sessions will be on April 18 and 19 at Kompleks Kejiranan Presint 16.
Each class is limited to 20 participants, with a total of 40 sessions to be held throughout 2026.
The locations are Kompleks Kejiranan Presint 11, Presint 16 and Presint 9, as well as Kompleks Futsal Presint 18.
Yeoh said the programme was aimed at helping fight obesity among children in Putrajaya.
Organisers would also gather response from parents, she said, adding that the number of classes could increase if demand were strong.
She added that implementation would be carried out with Health Ministry, which would also monitor the young participants.
Yeoh highlighted the greater concern of being unable to reach children who stayed at home and did not take part in outdoor activities, as participation depended heavily on parents bringing them out.
According to a PPj press release, the initiative was launched to encourage healthier lifestyles, following findings that obesity and diabetes rates in Putrajaya were above the national average.
The launch, held alongside Putrajaya Car-Free Day at Dataran Putrajaya, drew almost 2,000 participants.
Free basic clinics in jump rope, sepak takraw and aerobics were also offered.
Meanwhile, Yeoh posted on social media about being taught sepak takraw by youngsters at the event, stating that the game was difficult but she had fun “spending time with the future of Malaysian sports”.
