The world famous Harlem Globetrotters are set to embark on their annual tour of U.S. overseas military bases with a stretch of visits to several bases across the Middle East that will see them entertain troops with 10 shows in 14 days beginning Oct. 1.
The trip, made possible by Navy Entertainment and Armed Forces Entertainment, will consist of games on U.S. military bases in Qatar, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Bahrain. A touring group including Hammer Harrison, Bulldog Mack, Torch George, Cheese Chisholm, Thunder Law and Jet Rivers will tip-off the tour next week.
“We love getting the opportunity to entertain the men and women of our Armed Forces,” said Globetrotters star Hammer Harrison. “Any chance to bring them a taste of home, and hopefully some great entertainment, is an honor for us, and we’ll do whatever we can to bring smiles to their faces.”
Highlights of previous military tours include the Globetrotters’ first-ever visit to Afghanistan in November 2012, tours of Iraq in 2009 and 2006, a visit to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2005 – and games on four active-duty U.S. aircraft carriers, including a performance on the U.S.S. Eisenhower in the Persian Gulf in 2006.
In just the past 15 years alone, the Globetrotters have visited more than 50 U.S. military bases in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Belgium, Cuba, Djibouti, Germany, Greece, Guam, Italy, Iraq, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Overall, the Ambassadors of Goodwill have been performing for the troops for over 75 years.
It all marks the start of an exciting 2018-19 campaign for the Globetrotters – their 93rd – as they tip off their “Fan Powered” World Tour on Nov. 1. The team will play in more than 250 North American markets, as well as 30 countries worldwide. Tickets are now available at harlemglobetrotters.com.
The Harlem Globetrotters are legendary worldwide, synonymous with one-of-a-kind family entertainment and great basketball skills for the past 92 years. Throughout their history, the Original Harlem Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 123 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans – among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents – over nine thrilling decades. The American Red Cross is the official charity of the Harlem Globetrotters. Sponsored by Entenmann’s Donuts, Tum-e Yummies and Baden Sports, Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Herschend Enterprises, the largest family-owned themed entertainment company in the U.S.
