While commanded by officers of the French Troupes de marine, its budget and administration was dependent on the Lieutenant Governor at Kayes (latter Bamako), and military decision making—as well as contact with authorities in the Metropole or other colonies was through the Governor General in Dakar.
After his primary education in Kayes and secondary education in Bamako (Mali), Hamane Niang continued his studies in Dakar (Senegal) where he obtained a Masters in Economic Science and to Caen (France) where he obtained a diplôme d'études supérieures spécialisées (DESS), in finance.
In 2000 Kayes wrote weight loss diets for Ricky Hatton and other Billy Graham boxers, then in 2002 at the request of Billy Graham (Ricky Hatton's boxing coach) Kayes became the strength and nutrition coach for light welterweight boxing champion Ricky Hatton, his main responsibilities being to make Hatton stronger and helping him to make weight, no small task given Hatton's love of junk food between fights.