What is the ruling on homing pigeon races in which certificates of appreciation and trophies are awarded to the winners without financial prizes?

Playing with pigeons is makruh (disliked) if it is without compensation, and haram (forbidden) if it leads to overlooking homes and exposing private parts. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, described someone who follows a pigeon as "a devil following a she-devil." Scholars have mentioned that keeping pigeons for breeding, companionship, or carrying messages is permissible, but playing with them is makruh. Some of the Tabi'un (successors of the companions) considered playing with flying pigeons to be an act of the people of Lot. Some companions even ordered the slaughter of flying pigeons.

As for pigeon racing for a prize, it is haram, whether the prize is monetary or in kind. This is because the Lawgiver only permitted competitions for compensation in archery (al-nasl), camel racing (al-khuff), and horse racing (al-hafir); due to the encouragement of jihad therein.