He was one of the close friends of Shahpur Abdul Reza Pahlavi and traveled abroad with him many times and accompanied him on his trips to America and Austria.Kambiz Atabai was the CEO of the Royal Horse Association, the president of the Persian Football Federation, a member of the National Olympic Committee’s Board of Directors, the head of the royal ceremonies and a member of the Shahshahi Sports Club.
He brought modern administrative standards and international professionalism to football. His leadership mirrored 1970s ambition to play a leading role in Asia and on the world stage. The institutional model he built was largely dismantled after 1979, but its influence can still be traced in football organization and international outlook today. As AFC President, he helped strengthen Asia’s position in global football politics — a foundation that benefited later generations of Asian administrators.
