According to the players, the only people who knew about this episode was the team. Even the secretary of the Welsh Hockey Federation of unaware of Bunyan's absence.

Bunyan, who was to accompany the team, which now has been here for a week, just did not turn up at the airport. The squad left without him, but the players who know about his fear kept the incident to themselves. They kept hoping Bunyan would eventually come along before the start of the Commonwealth Games' inaugural hockey event in which Wales has been placed in Group B alongside India, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Trinidad and Tobago.

In his absence of the senior players in the side, David Hacker and Mike Williamson have been doubling up and also taking care ofcoaching. According to Welsh players, Bunyan's fear of flying is well known in hockey circles and he did go with the team when they participated in the European Championships qualifying in Prague some time back.

Wales qualified for the event, which will be held in Italy next year. Obviously, this time the thought of being cooped up in the plane for upwards of 14 hours was just too much for Bunyan to handle.

Bunyan, who is said to have spent his entire trip in the cockpit the last time he flew, is taking the help of a psychologist to overcome this problem for it could well cost him his job as the National hockey coach. It is not known whether the Welsh will send a replacement for Bunyan.

Wales has their opening game against Trinidad and Tobago on September 10 before tackling New Zealand two days later and India on September 14, South Africa on September 16 and Australia on September 18.