Leaders of Unites #144 - Kito Lenkadiyo

11 November, 2026

"During the 3X3 Leader Course, I learned to communicate better."

I met many of my Friends at Tabithaplein in De Pijp

My name is Kito Lenkadiyo and I am 22 years old. I was born and raised in De Pijp, Amsterdam. I used to spend a lot of time at Tabithaplein. I met all my friends there, and I still hang out with them today. We were always outside. I felt like everyone was friends with each other. I really had a wonderful childhood in De Pijp.

At Tabithaplein, we played football or basketball. I often went along with my older brother, which meant I often played with older kids. I had to toughen up at an early age because I had to stand my ground against bigger boys. Sometimes I wasn't allowed to join in because I was too young. But then I would get angry, and in the end, they would let me play anyway. I still have a very good relationship with my brothers, as well as with my younger brother.

We would play football or basketball for hours on end. We kept going until it got dark and the streetlights came on. That was the sign that we had to go home. These days, I work as a local coordinator for 3X3 Unites in Amsterdam. When I pass Tabithaplein and see 3X3 Leaders or other young people playing basketball, it genuinely makes me happy. I still go there myself sometimes in my free time.

I love basketball and football: team sports where you have to do it together

In the early years, I mainly played basketball outdoors on small courts in the neighbourhood. It wasn't until I was thirteen that I started playing for Apollo. I especially enjoyed the team spirit and the matches. The excitement leading up to a game, and then showing what you had practised together during training. I don't take losing very well, so I was always extremely competitive.

When I was eighteen, I stopped playing for Apollo. I had to make choices: I was busy with school, and my friends were starting their own football team at Zuidoost United. I chose to play football with my friends. The biggest difference compared to basketball is that I find basketball more entertaining; there is more going on. The similarity is that they are both team sports where you have to do it together.

During the 3X3 Leader Course, I learned to communicate better

I sometimes saw young people wearing a 3X3 Unites T-shirt at Tabithaplein, although I didn't know exactly what 3X3 Unites was. But when I heard more about 3X3 Unites and the 3X3 Leader Course, it seemed interesting to me. On top of that, I was still looking for an internship for my Creative Business degree.

The 3X3 Leader Course was great fun and very educational. Although I had learned to stand up for myself at Tabithaplein when I was younger, I could also be quite a shy boy. I didn't talk very much and sometimes found it difficult to really connect with other people. During the Leader Course, I learned to communicate better.

Now I show much more interest in other people and am genuinely curious about them, which makes it easier to get a conversation going. It really helps me in everyday life. I feel much more confident starting a conversation with someone and asking them how they are doing. I've noticed that this also helps you build a connection with someone more quickly.

After running activities on the outdoor courts for four years, I was ready for something new. I took the 3X3 Mentor Course and learned new things there that I now use in my role as a local coordinator. It's always good to start a conversation, but you can't solve every problem for someone else. Sometimes people have to do it themselves, too.

I am proud of my kenyan roots

My father is from Kenya. That's why I wear a bracelet with the Kenyan flag on it. I bought the bracelet in Kenya and wear it with pride. These are my roots; this is who I am. I have been to Kenya five or six times myself. Although it is not comparable to the Netherlands, it feels like coming home every time. A lot of my family lives there, and the weather is always lovely. Yes, better than here, haha.

I want to develop my camera skills further and hopefully do more with them in the future

I don't know yet what I want to do after my studies. Right now, I'm trying out and testing a few things. I bought a camera and enjoy posting things on social media. I manage the social media account for 3X3 Unites Amsterdam. I really enjoy doing that.

Ideally, I would like to continue working at 3X3 Unites. Basketball is my passion, and I enjoy working with young people. I want to develop my camera skills further and perhaps do more with them in the future. Managing the national 3X3 Unites social media channel would be really cool.