The idea of the Novi Bečej swimmers was accepted, but due to issues with obtaining a permit, the swimming event wasn’t held as originally planned—on August 1st and 2nd—but instead on August 28th and 29th, 1943.
From the manuscript The Great Swimming Day by Branislav Kiselički, we highlight the part describing the welcome of the Belgrade athletes:

In his manuscript “The Great Swimming Day,” Branislav Kiselički writes about the start of the competition on August 29, 1943:

Zdravko Gavrić lived in Novi Bečej under an assumed name, Zdravko Radosavljević, as he had escaped arrest by the Hungarian authorities in Stari Bečej, which was under Hungarian occupation at the time.

Ferenc Gomba, affectionately known by his friends and teammates as Feri or Frici, was the complete opposite in temperament to his older brother Laci. Quick, lively, and passionate, he stood out as a left winger for DMKS Turul from the very start of the 1941/42 season.

The afternoon session of the competition brought a series of exciting races that delighted the audience at the Novi Bečej pool. The greatest interest was sparked by the women’s events, where competitors showed remarkable determination and sporting spirit.

Until the outbreak of the Second World War, football in Novi Bečej was burdened by severe financial difficulties, even when it came to meeting the most basic needs. Above all, Novi Bečej lacked an industrial base from which any form of material support for football clubs could have been expected.

The children’s football clubs Zvezda and Banat in Novi Bečej effectively existed as early as 1932, rather than 1931 as later stated on Zvezda’s official memorandum. It should also be noted that during its first two years, Banat competed under the name Orao.

It is difficult to say how long the rivalry between Zvezda and Banat might have lasted had Banat not been reinforced as early as mid-1936 by former players of Jedinstvo, who were significantly older and physically stronger. Under such circumstances, Zvezda, with its predominantly youthful team, was no longer able to compete on equal terms. The first match played between the two clubs after these changes took place on April 9, 1936, and ended with a 4–2 victory for Banat.

The competition began in the morning at 10 o’clock with a ceremonial parade of all participants in front of the stands by the Tisa River, which were filled to the last seat. After the presentation of plaques and commemorative awards, the start of the event was officially announced. The jury consisted of the leader of the Belgrade club Bob, Đorđe Paljić, and the event organizers Brana Kiselički and Vasa Nićin.

In the harsh conditions of the economic crisis — especially in a year when it reached its peak — the football enthusiasts of Novi Bečej, or perhaps even better described as fanatics, organized a true football spectacle in 1932. That year, they managed to bring the multiple national champion, the Belgrade Sports Club (BSK), to Novi Bečej.

Vilmoš Kujan, born in Novi Bečej, moved to Novi Sad as a boy to learn a trade, where he stayed until 1942. During his time in Novi Sad, he played football, which made him one of the top players in Novi Bečej upon his return. In DMKS Turul, during the early war years, he quickly established himself as one of the team’s most important first-team players, alongside István Berta.

A turning point for Zvezda, and perhaps for football in Novi Bečej in general, came in 1939. Players who had once been children had now matured into young, competent footballers, whose skills far surpassed those of Jedinstvo players. Most of these footballers had come up through the youth clubs Zvezda and Banat, where they systematically honed their football abilities without guidance from older players.