( CNN ) -- As Dennis Rodman readies for his `` basketball diplomacy '' trip to North Korea , CNN has learned exclusively from Rodman 's sponsor Paddy Power that Rodman and his documentary crew will arrive in Pyongyang on December 19 and train a team of North Korean basketball players through December 23 . The names of the former NBA players and `` high-profile '' NBA coach will be announced before Rodman leaves next week for North Korea . Paddy Power is an online and in-store sports betting business in the UK . Rory Scott , a spokesman for Paddy Power , said that `` taking a pragmatic view , we have spoken to many experts familiar with recent developments in DPRK and it was the general consensus that it is safe for us to travel there . The purpose of this trip is not to get involved with politics but to prove once again that sport has the power to rise above all issues . And this will be a unique sporting occasion . '' The spokesman added that Rodman has no definite plans to meet with `` the Marshal Kim Jong Un , '' but because Rodman and the President are friends , they could very likely meet again . The North Korean basketball players are being trained for a game against a team of former NBA players , called Dennis ' Dream Team , in Pyongyang on January 8 , Kim 's birthday . The game is tentatively titled `` The Big Bang in Pyongyang . '' The first half will be the U.S. vs. North Korea . For the second half of the game , the two teams will be blended with players from both sides . Opinion : Is Dennis Rodman smart on North Korea ?
Rodman and a documentary crew are scheduled to arrive on December 19 . Experts say it 's safe for them to travel there , and the trip wo n't be political , sponsor says . Sponsor : Rodman will train a North Korean team , does n't have plans to meet with Rodman . The players are training for `` The Big Bang in Pyongyang . '' UK , '' a game against former Dennis ' Dream Team players .