DAKAR (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Boniface Ndong may have never represented Senegal at a world stage competition, but the 36-year-old who brought his playing career to a close last summer is set to play a key role for his country at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

A couple of months ago, Ndong was appointed the General Manager of Senegal men's national team, and he is already making a difference.

Ndong is overseeing the team's readiness, which will include warm-up games in Spain as well as training camps on home soil.

Senegal will open its preparations for Spain 2014 with a 10-day training camp in Dakar starting on 20 July, followed by a 24-day stay in the Spanish city of Malaga, where Ndong played part of his successful club career.

For Senegal head coach Cheikh Sarr, Ndong is a piece the country's men basketball programme was missing.

"He is doing a great job and he deserves our support. During his national team career, he witnessed mismanagement of the national team, which he is trying to correct, improve and help Senegal basketball to succeed. The good thing is that he is willing to help," Sarr told FIBA.com.

The coach has already drawn up a list of players to work with, but will only make it public when pending administrative issues are solved.

Sarr is expecting to announce a 22-man preliminary squad, although only 15 players will join the team during its stay in Malaga.

"Even though I have an idea of which players to select, I will only make it public when we finalize our planning. But I can assure that there is room for home-based players in the team," Sarr said.

There are also some pending administrative issues involving players' insurances.

Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Gorgui Dieng hinted he might represent his country at FIBA's flagship event, and the Senegal Basketball Organizing Committee is dealing with his club and agent in order to make his availability clearer.

"But he is not the only player facing insurance issues," Sarr pointed out. "There are a number of Europe-based, former NBA and current D-League players waiting for an insurance to play for us, and we are doing everything to have our best players in Spain."

By the time Sarr and his team are ready to open their preparations, the head coach will need the support of current and former players.

As far as scouting Senegal's opponents, the likes of Ibrahima Thomas, Mouhammad Faye and others based in Europe might come in handy for a national side that earned the last qualifying place for African teams at Spain 2014 by finishing third at AfroBasket 2013.

Senegal will play in Sevilla's Group B along with Argentina, Croatia, Greece, Philippines and Puerto Rico.

When the African side opens its campaign on 30 August, Faye - who plays for Greek side Panelefsiniakos - might provide key background information about Greece.

Thomas plays in Iran and is familiar with basketball in Asia. Any information he can provide on the Philippines' loss to Iran in the Final of the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship will be more than welcomed for Sarr.

FIBA