Establishment of the Jedinstvo Swimming Section in Novi Bečej (1952) | Early Swimming History

On the occasion of the establishment of the swimming section of the Sports Society “Jedinstvo” in Novi Bečej, a swimming competition was held on Sunday, August 17, 1952. The participants included “Proleter” from Zrenjanin, “BSK” from Bečej, and the host club “Jedinstvo”.

The competition took place in an improvised “pool” measuring 25 × 12 meters. Official times were not recorded — only the chief referee, Proleter’s coach Stojan Mihajlović, had a stopwatch — so only winners and final placements were noted.

Swimmers from Novi Bečej excelled particularly in short-distance events. The greatest success was achieved by the “dream relay” team in the 4 × 50 meters medley, consisting of:
Vojnov (backstroke), Marčić (breaststroke), S. Ivanić (butterfly), and Tolmačev (freestyle).

In individual events, Branislav Vojnov won the 50 meters backstroke, ahead of the favored swimmers from Zrenjanin. In the women’s competition, Dubravka Nešović stood out in the 100 meters breaststroke. Lazar Stojšić from Bečej was declared the best swimmer of the competition.

Press Report

In the daily newspaper Slobodna Vojvodina (issue no. 2410, August 21, 1952), under the headline “A Section to Be Established in Novi Bečej”, a detailed report was published:

The competition was held on the Tisa River, near the ferry, at an improvised swimming area created thanks to a physical education teacher, Ivanić. With the help of a group of young enthusiasts, an old ferry and pontoon bridge were adapted for starts and turns, while a small spectator area was arranged along the riverbank.

Among the local swimmers, the following stood out:

• Ivanić I (100 m freestyle – 1:13.9)
• Ivanić III (50 m breaststroke – 36.4)
• juniors Miloradović (36.0) and Rajić (37.7) in the 50 m freestyle

Final team standings:

1. Proleter (Zrenjanin) – 57 points
2. BSK (Bečej) – 52 points
3. Novi Bečej – 35 points

As part of the program, a water polo match was also played, ending in a 1:1 draw between BSK and Proleter’s second team.

Dual Meet in Bečej

Following this tri-meet, on August 21, 1952, a dual meet was held between BSK Bečej and “Jedinstvo” from Novi Bečej. The home team proved stronger, winning the swimming competition 55:33.

A water polo match was also played, with BSK convincingly defeating Jedinstvo 11:1 (5:0).

Championship in Kikinda

The competitions in Novi Bečej and Bečej served as preparation for the Swimming Sub-Association Championship of Zrenjanin, held on August 24, 1952, in Kikinda.

Swimmers from Novi Bečej competed under the name “Polet”, as the registration of the newly formed club “Jedinstvo” had not yet been completed.

The swimming events took place in a pool measuring 25 × 12.5 meters, built in 1951, while water polo matches were held at “Bon’s Bath”, within the complex of the “Toza Marković” brick and tile factory.

Swimmers from “Proleter II” (Zrenjanin) dominated the competition. Final standings:

1. Proleter II (Zrenjanin) – 138 points
2. Dinamo (Pančevo) – 106 points
3. Polet (Novi Bečej) – 20 points
4. Radnički (Kikinda) – 13 points
5. Kristal (Zrenjanin) – 6 points
6. Radnički (Kovin) – 0 points

Water polo results:

• Dinamo (Pančevo) – Radnički (Kikinda) 7:0
• Proleter II – Polet (Novi Bečej) 4:0
• Radnički (Kovin) – Kristal (Zrenjanin) 5:0

In the photo: Radomir Ivanić (coach), Branislav Vojnov, Aleksandar Marčić, Sava Ivanić, Zvonko Tolmačev, and federal referee S. Mihajlović.