Advocates say the Department of Education isn't moving the ball down the court fast enough. 

Last year, Mayor Bill de Blasio pledged $385 million to create gyms at city schools, but Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams says the rollout of that investment has been moving too slowly. The top priority was supposed to focus on the 200 public schools in the city that do not have gym space at all. Adams says the announced funding only addresses the needs of 76 of those schools — and Brooklyn alone has around 50 lacking a dedicated physical education space, according to a survey of 307 schools (another 266 didn't respond to the survey).

"This is far too high in an age when diabetes is rampant, childhood obesity is rampant," Adams said.

City Council members are scheduled to hold an oversight hearing Monday on physical education and athletics in New York City public schools.

While Adams was highlighting the deficiency of fitness programs at beleaguered P.S. 147 in East Williamsburg, student-athletes from around the world were at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, competing in the David A. Walker Double Dutch Holiday Classic and showcasing the benefits of robust school-based athletic programs .

"Jump-rope is definitely a great workout," said Vedha Rastogi, 15, from Mason, Ohio. She and her teammates practice at least 15 hours a week.

"It's really good for your heart, but it's also just a lot of fun," said Saiya Patel, 14.

"It definitely makes me feel better about what I eat," said Sophie Colangelo, 14. "I feel like I can eat whatever I want, because when I jump-rope, I burn it all off."